I am very disappointed in how the library is handling their reduction in funding.  Using your own imposed late fees to justify using priority mail to charge people $2 to mail a DVD is unacceptable.  Why not just extend the amount of time people can have rentals so mail isn’t an issue.  I can return the item on time, without having to pay $2 for it to be mailed.  There are so many other ways the library could save money to keep their mailing program going the way it was.

We all need to remember that even though the library provides public services, it needs to be bringing in money to cover the cost of those services.
With an ever increasing number of services being provided, we were fortunate not to have late fees and no mailing charges to the patrons for mailed materials.  We need to be realistic and know that for the cost of certain services to be provided, the money has to come from somewhere, and who better than the people who use the services.  If you don’t want to pay a fine, get your books in on time.  Without fines as a consequence, there was little reason to turn things in on time.  With more timely returns, there is better circulation of the materials.  If you don’t want to pay the postage, then don’t have materials sent to you.  We can still get our services for free by returning items on time and not having things mailed.  I think of it as the library is running a not-for-profit business.  They also have to avoid losses.  They are trying to work out viable alternatives.  We are not being punished.  We are being given options to keep our library running smoothly.  By not having charges for these things in the past, of course people liked getting the services for free.  But the services weren’t free.  They were costing the library.  By charging only the patrons these issues apply toward, it seems like a fair resolution to me.  If you don’t like it, see if you can do better somewhere else.  I think it is still the best deal in town.  If you want to show some support for the library, you can join Friends of the Library, drop off items to be sold at the Annual Booksale or at the Gently Used Bookstore.  You can buy materials at the Annual Sale and at the bookstore at the library.  Most people do like to get something for nothing.  Then when they are asked to pay for what they have been getting for free they get upset.  The library is being fair.  They are requesting fees that will motivate you to bring your materials back on time and help them maintain good circulation.  They are still willing to send items out and are passing on the cost to the people who use the service.  If you don’t want fines, bring things back on time.  If you don’t want to pay postage, don’t have things mailed to you.  If you change your habits to fit their reasonable requests, you can still use the library for free.

It would be nice if my items could all be mailed together at a reduced bulk rate, instead of per item. I’m sorry to say I can no longer afford to have items sent to my home unless in urgent or extenuating circumstances. We live out of town and I honestly did not abuse the mailing service only in situations when not coming into Topeka or unable to get in due to weather or schedules. I’m am sorry to see this service being lost. We already are paying $90/year for out-of-county membership.

I think 2 bucks is a bit high and not justified by mailing times because it seeemed to me that under the old system more time was taken getting stuff actually mailed then took far more time than the USPS actually took handling the materials.

Also,  I am disabled and can not go in to the library and as I understand it, your Red Carpet service actually meant a library person hand delivered materials which certainly is more difficult than mailing. Also, it is very difficult for me to answer the door, but no problem to have someone collect the mail and return the materials via night drop (WHEN IT WORKS). Thus Red Carpet does not seem a viable option.

Nonetheless, I could sort of afford one dollar (i only recieve $600 disablity) but two dollars is mostly beyand my reach.

Your audio does not work.

Unable to open e:/ee/tscpl/audio/l.mp3. Check your path settings.