Troy Public was ranked number 10 for its population in the latest HAPLR and home to an excellent collection (in our view) of remotely accessible databases.
Residents of Troy did not approve a tax millage in February that would have and save the library and last week the Troy City Council approved their 2010-2011 budget and it calls for the library to close by July 1, 2011. Sad but true. A three year budget plan was also approved.
Now, this article in the Detroit Free Press, "No library in Troy? Don't Count on Books Elsewhere" discusses that two of the closest libraries to Troy, The Rochester Hills Public Library and the Baldwin Library in Birmingham, MI who have reciprocity agreements with Troy will stop providing reciprocity to Troy residents.
"But if they have nothing to reciprocate with ... we're not giving them access," said Christine Lind Hage, director of the Rochester Hills Public Library.
Residents of Troy who use the library to borrow materials have few options short of purchasing a card at another area library. A non-resident card in Clawson, MI costs $100/year. The Rochester Hills and Baldwin libraries do not sell cards.
The Rochester Hills Public Library -- which serves that community, Rochester and Oakland Township -- and Baldwin Public Library in Birmingham already are putting restrictions in place for nonresidents, in light of the Troy Public Library's anticipated closure by July 1, 2011. Both libraries have reciprocal borrowing agreements with Troy.
The Rochester Hills Public Library no longer allows nonresidents to place holds on books or register for programs.
The Birmingham library, which currently has contracts with Beverly Hills and Bingham Farms for service, put restrictions on borrowing and programs for users who aren't residents in one of those three communities.
The article goes on to mention a vote in November regarding a millage for the Lincoln Park, MI. Public Library and the situation at a couple of other area publics.
We sincerely hope that this is an isolated incident.
One area not discussed in the article is physical library usage of the Baldwin and Rochester Public Libraries by Troy residents. While they cannot get a card (they aren't for sale) can resident of Troy still make use of the facilities for research, study, computer time, etc. Can these libraries handle more people in the library at one time or will they have to limit usage by checking library cards as people enter the building?
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