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Frances, This is a good point. I suspect the main reason is that until now Reading Groups have not only been main stream but a significant part of our move to increase issues and visitor figures. Now of course and suddenly we're faced with a completely different set of beans to count - how much money will the government let us have? Therefore, what can we do to raise income and ensure that at least some of the good work we've all been doing doesn't disappear over the hill with our budgets. I'm slightly surprised this conversation has taken place only on Lis pub Libs - so if I've done the e-mail address right I'm trying to forward it to the Reader Development list as well, as this is surely an important question for their work. Alyson Hogarth Stock Manager Middlesbrough Libraries and Information 01642 729420 Frances Hendrix <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries" <[log in to unmask]> 16/08/2010 14:17 Please respond to Frances Hendrix <[log in to unmask]> To [log in to unmask] cc Subject Re: Reading Groups and charges I have glimpsed at these emails on Charges for reading groups One thing that amazes me (and it is not that you should charge for a premium service)., BUT that you are charging so little, without any sense of why that amount has been chosen. Is it based on a true business case, taking into account all costs, of space, time, labour? f Frances Hendrix Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7QR, UK tel: 01257 274 833. fax: 01257 266 488 email: [log in to unmask] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Jones" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 11:28 AM Subject: Re: Reading Groups and charges In Surrey we've recently introduced a charge for reading groups, as of 1st August 2010. They used to be able to borrow sets of their chosen title free of charge for 13 weeks. We've now reduced that to 6 weeks and have introduced a £2 per set reservation fee. This £2 is the same whether they're borrowing 5 copies or 10 etc. We did a user survey in Dec/Jan of our reading groups in general and people indicated that they would be prepared to pay if it meant that they had access to the new book stock, rather than having to wait a year for it. The only way we could do this was by reducing their loan time, as 13 weeks tied up the new stock. So far, from the nearly 700 reading groups that we have attached to the libraries in Surrey, only 1 group has objected to the charge. We notified them about a month ago, so there's been time for them to respond if they weren't happy. We did consider an annual charge, but felt that the logistics of collecting the fee, the issues of those groups who didn't use it very often, those groups who have 5 members and those who have 15 etc, were getting too complicated. The £2 is attached to the borrower category, so it automatically triggers when someone reserves a title. Craig Jones ********************************************************************************************** Any opinions or statements expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily those of Middlesbrough Council. Internet communications are not secure and therefore Middlesbrough Council does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message as it has been transmitted over a public network. If you suspect the message may have been intercepted or amended, please call the sender. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential, may be legally privileged, and are solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you receive this in error, please do not disclose any information to anyone and notify the sender at the above address. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted, in reliance on the contents, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Middlesbrough Council's computer systems and communications may be monitored to ensure effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Save energy, money and the environment - is it really necessary to print this message? ** This email has been scanned for viruses, vandals and malicious content. ** **********************************************************************************************