The local library board has decided to drop an existing fee for borrowing DVDs. Previously, the fee was $1 for a 2 night rental with additional cost for additional nights. The new arrangement eliminates the fees to check out the DVD while increasing the late fees. Note that this only corresponds to DVDs and VHS tapes that are listed as "fiction", meaning big hits movies. Other movies, such as "kids" movies, educational movies and documentaries are loaned without checkout fees.
The location of the library is a midsize suburb. Two of three neighboring libraries do not charge fees for checking out their DVDs, and many patrons have stated that they have used these other libraries for this purpose.
Until two years ago, the suburb had three or more large video rental stores. Currently one chain video store remains. Redbox is available in multiple locations within the suburb and neighboring areas.
DVD fees have provided roughly 1% of revenues for the library, which I believe covered the cost of the videos.
The case for removing the fee was to provide patrons with a "free" service similar to our neighboring libraries. The case against is the loss of revenue, the possibility of increased costs to maintain a collection of popular titles, and the possible impact on the local video store business.
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