search query: @indexterm Public services / total: 243
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Author: | Locher, L. |
Title: | Public library fees in Germany |
Journal: | Journal of Cultural Economics
2005 : NOV, VOL. 29:4, p. 313-324 |
Index terms: | Germany libraries payment systems public services |
Language: | eng |
Abstract: | This article investigates the effect of different payment schemes for public library borrowings in Germany. The number of borrowings is directly related to the holdings and the financial means of a library. It is shown that a fixed fee reduces the number of users. This is counterbalanced by an increase in borrowings per user, and therefore the net effect on total borrowings is zero or even positive. Offering an alternative to a yearly fee for those who borrow only few media does not change results. In conclusion, a fee mainly eliminates nominal users and increases the library's effort. |
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