Starting July 1, non-city residents will be charged a library card fee of $50 for an annual household membership and $25 for a six-month household membership.
City Manager Joe King proposed the fees as part of the budget for Fiscal Year 2013, which begins July 1. City Council adopted that budget on May 30.
“We welcome residents and non-residents alike to use our libraries,” King said, “but as with every other municipal service, there is a cost to staff and operate them. The City of Danville currently charges those who live outside Danville higher fees for most recreation programs and facility and equipment rentals. Starting July 1, we will be doing so as well for certain Danville Public Library services.”
Many library systems have implemented non-city resident fees as state funding has decreased. The annual and semiannual fees are the equivalent to what each household in Danville pays to support the library through property taxes.
Beginning July 1, all Danville library patrons will be issued new cards. This process will require patrons to verify their address. The information presented must match the information on the library card application account. The following materials are acceptable verification:
• Driver’s license or state ID
• Bank statement
• Car registration
• Checkbook
• Rental agreement
• Postmarked mail addressed to applicant (mail addressed to “occupant” or “resident” are not acceptable)
• Utility bill
• Voter registration card
The membership is good for the entire household, and it is required to check out materials, logon to the computers at the library, and access the online library databases from home. Patrons can still visit the main library on Patton Street and the Westover branch library to study, read books, ask reference questions or attend library programs at no charge.
Also beginning July 1, the main library on Patton Street will operate slightly fewer hours, and non-profits, non-city residents and other agencies and groups will pay an hourly charge to use the meeting room (auditorium).
The new operating hours at the Patton Street location will be:
• Monday – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday – closed
The library is currently open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The hours of operation for the Westover branch library will remain unchanged.
The fees for use of the meeting room (auditorium) at the Patton Street library will be $12 hourly for non-profit organizations, $19 hourly for non-city residents, and $15 hourly for other agencies and groups. Non-profit organizations must complete an application.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO I HAVE TO PAY?
Patrons living outside of Danville will be required to pay $50 annually for a full-access library card. Cards will be valid for one year from the purchase date and are non-refundable. Residents also have the option of purchasing a card for $25 that will be good for six months.
WHY DOES DANVILLE DO THIS?
Many library systems have implemented non-city resident fees as state funding has decreased. The annual and semiannual fees are the equivalent to what each household in
Danville pays to support the library through property taxes. “We welcome residents and non-residents alike to use our libraries,” City Manager Joe King said, “but as with every other municipal service, there is a cost to staff and operate them. The City of Danville currently charges those who live outside Danville higher fees for most recreation programs and facility and equipment rentals. Starting July 1, we will be doing so as well for certain Danville Public Library services.”
I THOUGHT LIBRARIES WERE "PUBLIC PLACES" – WHY DOES IT COST MONEY?
It does not cost to visit the Danville library on Patton Street and the Westover branch library to study, read, ask reference questions or attend any of the programs. The public is welcome to visit the library and make use of materials; however, a library card (city resident or non-city resident) is necessary to check out materials, use the computers or access the online databases from home.
HOW DO I PAY?
Pay at the library with cash, check or credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa and Discover cards. You may also call the Danville Public Library at 434-799-5195 and ask to purchase a card over the phone. The application and additional information will be mailed to you.
I OWN PROPERTY IN DANVILLE, BUT RESIDE IN A DIFFERENT LOCALITY – AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE LIBRARY CARD?
No. The library card fee is based on your current residence, not property ownership. If you live outside the city, then the non-resident fee of $50 will apply.
I WORK IN DANVILLE, BUT LIVE OUTSIDE THE CITY – AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE LIBRARY CARD?
No. The library card fee is based on your current residence, not work location. If you live outside the city, then the non-resident fee of $50 will apply.
I AM LIVING IN DANVILLE TEMPORARILY – AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE LIBRARY CARD?
Patrons with proof of Danville residency will be issued free library cards.
I DO NOT LIVE IN DANVILLE, BUT I AM A DANVILLE STUDENT (OR TEACHER) – AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE LIBRARY CARD?
The library card fee is based on your current residence. If you live outside the city, then the non-city resident fee of $50 will apply.
I RECENTLY MOVED – WILL MY CITY RESIDENT OR NON-CITY RESIDENT STATUS CHANGE?
Patrons moving out of Danville will need to pay the fee prior to the next checkout. Patrons moving to Danville will be considered city residents when their annual non-resident card renews; however, the fee paid prior to moving is non-refundable. In other words, there will not be a pro-rated refund of any annual fee upon moving mid-year to Danville.