More Austinites will be eligible for free library cards in 2024
Currently people who live within the city limits are able to obtain an Austin public library card for free, but that benefit does not extend to everyone with an Austin address. Those who live in a limited-purpose or extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) have to pay a non-resident fee to get a library card. "This nonresident fee creates an economic barrier to all individuals who may work in Austin and have been forced to relocate to surrounding areas due to gentrification and increased costs of housing that commute into Austin for work,” the commission’s letter to council read. During the last city council meeting of the year, council members approved the resolution to waive the nonresident fee.
10 replies
How about those of us forced to move way farther out than a 5 mile ETJ? I applaud their move here, but if they think people who work in Austin just live only 5 miles out, they are out of their gord. I am way farther than that.
A digital card is only $22/yr for any Texan outside that zone. Libraries aren't exactly money makers, so think of it as an annual donation to keep the doors open and the catalog growing.
I get that, and yes, that is worth it, but I would like to be able to check out physical books and media. For instance the Round Rock Library will let anyone get a card and check out items.
Yeah, and I get that part, too. Digital media sometimes can't beat a physical book.
Yeah, some hard to find blue-ray and dvd's are at the Austin Public library, and I guess my only solution would be to bring a laptop and watch them at the library.
I didn't know about Round Rock, that's cool. Maybe make a post so people know about that even better option?
Will do.
You have to pay for a library card? What kind of fascist knowledge hating state is that?
I don't have to. My local library card is free. I choose to pay for the Austin one, because their catalog is better. Most people who live within a certain range of a library get a free card. If you want one from a library that you don't live within range of, you usually have to pay for it.
That's been the case in every city I've lived in, blue states and red ones.
I don't live in Austin at all but pay for the digital library card, and it's the best $22 I spend all year.