www.detroitpubliclibrary.org
From the library web site:
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Non-Detroit Michigan Residents:The Main Library, located in Detroit's Cultural
Center, is a state resource. All Michigan residents are eligible to obtain a
library card to borrow materials and use Internet resources from this location
and from the International Language Collection located in the Parkman Branch.
*** my note Burton is located at the Main library. You have never been able
to borrow items from Burton, you must use the materials there. ***
Non-Michigan Residents: Any person who does not reside in the state of Michigan
may apply for a non-resident library card to borrow materials from any location
for an annual fee of $40.00.
Friends of the Detroit Public Library Membership: As a paid member of the
Friends of the Detroit Public Library, any person may borrow materials from any
Detroit Public Library location. *** my note I think this includes those who
have made donations. If you have donated, I think you would be eligible to
borrow for free. ***
How long is your new library card valid?
New personal library cards are valid for two years from the date of your
birthday. Company cards expire annually.
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The library had talked about charging all non residents $5.00 to use the library
and/or the Burton collection beginning January 1, 2004. Apparently they thought
charging to borrow made more sense. You do not need to borrow anything to do
research at the library. I think this is more than fair. Frankly, I do lookups
there nearly every week and much prefer this to being charged $5 every time I go
there. It still costs me nothing to go do the lookups I do there so I do not
have to begin charging people.
Those who want to protest, where were they when the notice was posted on the DPL
website and circulating around the message boards about the potential loss of
millions of dollars in funding to the libraries if we did not write our
representatives and tell them we opposed the bill that would virtually cut most
funding to the libraries? I can get a copy of that from the Wayne County
message board archives if anyone is interested in seeing it, because I posted it
to that board.
It is too late to complain now. The time to complain was when the library was
pleading with the public to do something to help preserve their funding. It
does take money to run a libraries. As a frequent user of the main library and
Burton collection, I find this to be very fair and not a way to screw anyone.
My own humble opinion.
Renee O'Neal