Hi! Just to add to the discussion, I wrote Jackie Machie, the girl doing the PR for the project, and there are going to be daily usage fees for people outside of the state of Michigan (and I'm assuming these would apply for everyone else as well). Personally, I don't mind paying a small fee, like $10 to use their library when I come to MI, usually once or twice a year. I normally donate that as a thank you anyway. $100 does seem a bit unreasonable though - but if you use the library a lot, my guess is that it would pay for itself. And researchers no doubt will just pass the cost on in their research fees. Also, make sure to write Jackie, in order to make your feelings known directly to the library. Her email is jmachie@detroit.lib.mi.us . She also said that more details should be released soon. The days of getting "free" genealogy, I fear, are numbered. One thing is for sure - the removal of state funding for the library is deplorable, but something happening in other states (Florida comes to mind immediately for their library debacle). We all should get involved in our library system and try to find other means of helping them support themselves. My suburban Chicago library actually supports itself by rentals of brand new books, videos and software, as well as renting the library out for social functions. It also has an active donation program and special events (black tie, etc) occur fairly regularly. Detroit needs to pick this up - and quick - before all of the researchers abandon it and the Burton collection is thrown into jeopardy. Concetta Franco Chicago/Minneapolis >>> "cjensen" <cjensen@mipolonia.net> 6/22/2004 9:28:36 AM >>> Subject: Fees for the Burton Here is an on going list suggesting ideas to counter the Burton fee. There is a call for Letters to the Editor @ the Detroit Free Press today. I also suggest writing to the archdiocese of Detroit since it is my understanding that they have an agreement with the Burton to be the only library with the Detroit Catholic Church microfilms. The moderator of the BHC list is John P. DuLong, Ph.D., respected genealogist in the metro Detroit area. Ceil Michigan Polonia http://mipolonia.net Cecile Marie Wendt Jensen, CGRS (sm) ===================================================================== CGRS, Certified Genealogical Records Specialist > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <BHC-request@habitant.org> > To: <BHC@habitant.org> > Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 4:00 AM > Subject: BHC Digest, Vol 7, Issue 5 > > > > Send BHC mailing list submissions to > > BHC@habitant.org > > > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://habitant.org/mailman/listinfo/bhc_habitant.org > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > > BHC-request@habitant.org > > > > You can reach the person managing the list at > > BHC-owner@habitant.org > > > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > > than "Re: Contents of BHC digest..." > > > > > > Burton Historical Collection List > > _______________________________________________ > > > > > > > > > > Today's Topics: > > > > 1. How does Michicard fit into the fee charges? (Maureen LeLacheur) > > 2. Free Press Article: Call for Letters to the Editor > > (John P. DuLong) > > 3. FW: Fee for Using the Burton Historical Collection > > (John P. DuLong) > > 4. Re: FW: Fee for Using the Burton Historical Collection > > (Bill & Peggy Youngs) > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 1 > > Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 14:08:40 -0700 (PDT) > > From: Maureen LeLacheur <mwlelacheur@yahoo.com> > > Subject: [BHC] How does Michicard fit into the fee charges? > > To: bhc@habitant.org > > Message-ID: <20040621210840.23028.qmail@web14804.mail.yahoo.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > > > How does Michicard fit into the fee charges? Check out the information > about Michicard access on the HAL site of Michigan.gov. The DPL has been a > Michicard library. My husband and I have checked books out of lots of > suburban libraries with our Michicard stickers on the DPL card without > payment. > > > > You all may want to pursue this tack. Perhaps the DPL is giving up its > participation. > > > > Maureen W. LeLacheur > > > > > > Maureen W. LeLacheur > > 17355 Meyers Rd > > Detroit MI 48235-1424 > > 313/342-8391 > > mwlelacheur@yahoo.com > >

I'm glad someone is at least contacting the library before going nuts on writing congressmen, newspapers, etc! When I read this, my tone sounds harsh, but I certainly don't mean to come off harsh, just want to make a point that we are not owed the right to use the library, not even if we pay state taxes. Right now, the fees are to borrow books only, and that does not include the main library, where Burton is located, because that is a State owned library and not a city library. Please check out the Detroit Public Library website: www.detroitpubliclibrary.org The fee is $40 for a non resident to borrow books, (not to use the library) for one year, and the Burton collection is not included in this fee for two reasons. 1. You cannot, nor could you ever, borrow materials from Burton. You have to use the materials there. The fee is to BORROW books. 2. Burton is at the Detroit Main Library, which is a state run library and is still free for all residents of the State of Michigan. Where was all this publicity last year when the DPL had it posted on their website that they needed help because the state was proposing to cut their funding by millions. The funds were already cut, last year. It is a bit late to be complaining now. The Detroit Public Library is a CITY library and not a STATE or COUNTY library (with the exception of the Main Library where Burton is located) and it is primarily funded by DETROIT CITY or DETROIT property taxes. That means that if you do not live or work in Detroit, then you are not paying for this library and do not have the right to check out books for free, or even use it for free, for that matter. I wonder why there are so many people who believe they have a right to use a city library for free if they are not a resident of the city. I would not try to go to an Ohio library, when I live in Michigan and try to check out books, although I may want to do research there. Also, the site says that 'Friends of Detroit Library members' do not pay. I believe that includes those who have donated items, but am not sure. Maybe we should get more information before going nuts with this. Everything in the newspaper is not always accurate. Last year the newspaper said that the DPL was considering charging $5 to non residents just to enter and use the library, beginning January 1, 2004. That did not ever happen, but was being considered. I suspect that they wrote about the worst case being considered and not the final plan. Even if this is accurate and is going to happen, the alternative is closing many libraries, maybe even the main library and the Burton Collection. They have already closed some branches. Where is the money supposed to come from? Yes, the furniture and materials have been donated to Burton, but the staff, electricity, building maintenance, equipment maintenance, I could go on and on, still cost money. Maybe the solution is to come up with a Burton fund that would pay for all this for the Burton collection. Renee O'Neal