Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) has eliminated its customary charge of $1 for new-release DVDs. Because these items are in high-demand, GCPL is not accepting holds for them. New release materials are on display at each GCPL location.
GCPL is pleased to share these materials at no cost to patrons. The fee was originally instated to help expand the collection. However, as new video-streaming technology makes materials available to people online, the $1 charge became outdated. The Geauga County Public Library Board voted to eliminate the charge at its Jan. 20 meeting. The change went into effect Wed., Jan. 21.
“The library’s streaming video service, hoopla, has proven to be very popular with library patrons,” says Deborah F. O’Connor, GCPL Director. “Because there is no charge for this service, the Library Board removed the $1 initial fee for borrowing DVD and Blu-Ray items.”
Patrons are limited to checking out no more than five at one time. They are due the next day and accrue $1-per-day late fees. When new DVDs move into regular circulation, their check-out time extends to one week, but accrue overdue fines of ten cents per day with a maximum fine of $5 per item. Any unreturned items are billed to the patron for the list retail price charged at the time the library purchased the item, plus a $5 processing fee.
