Library Fee Begins July 1 For Non-Residents

Thursday is the last day of free library services for any county resident at , though Cupertino residents can rest easy, the library is still open for your business.

For Santa Clara County Library cardholders whose addresses are not verified to be in Cupertino, or one of the other cities eligible for a free Santa Clara County Library District card, you should have received notice.

Melinda Cervantes, the district's director, sent out the message below this week alerting library patrons that in order to continue to use the full services of the county library system, they need to prove residency in Cupertino, or other library district cities, or pay an annual $80 library card fee.

Exceptions apply to students who attend a public or private K-12 school within the city limits.

Dear Library Patron,

Thank you for having a library card with the Santa Clara County Library District, and for choosing one of our member libraries for service.  Our records indicate that the library card you hold is a ‘limited’ card.  I am contacting you to let you know about an important change that will affect your account starting July 1.

In response to dramatic reductions in State funding and an increasing demand for library services, the Santa Clara County Library District Joint Powers Authority (JPA) approved an $80 annual library card fee or non-residents of the District in order to balance the budget. Non-district resident students who attend public or private schools and school districts (preschool through grade 12) that overlap the Santa Clara County Library District are eligible for a free student limited card.

Since 1988, the State has reimbursed public libraries for lending materials to non-residents of their district, and any resident of California could get a card at any public library in the state. Demands for service have increased to a point that the Santa Clara County Library District lends far more books to non-District residents than District residents borrow from other libraries.

In order to preserve the high quality of service, collection and open hours, the JPA reluctantly decided it must implement the non-resident card fee.

Everyone is still welcome to visit our libraries, attend programs, and use resources inside the library.  However, a card is required to check out materials, use the full service computers with Internet access and Microsoft Office, and have remote access to online databases.

To be eligible for a free Santa Clara County Library District card, you must reside or own property in the unincorporated area of Santa Clara County or in one of the following nine cities:  Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill or Saratoga.

The card you hold is a ‘limited’ card because at the time you registered for it we were not able to verify either your identity or your address or you did not provide your date of birth.  Your limited card has allowed you to check out two items at a time, and also allowed you full computer access.  I want you to know that your limited library card will be disabled on July 1. To reactivate your card, you will need to bring your card along with photo ID and address verification to any of the Santa Clara County Library District libraries any time on or after July 1.  If you live outside of the Santa Clara County Library District and choose to purchase a card, you will need to bring the card, photo ID and address verification, and will also need to pay the fee of $80.

If you have not already provided your date of birth, you will also be asked to provide that information.  Students who live outside the district but attend school inside the district (pre-school up through grade 12) may apply for a free student limited card.  For this card, please bring the card, proof of student status and school affiliation to a Santa Clara County District library anytime on or after July 1.

For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) posted on our website:  www.santaclaracountylib.org  You can also call us at 800-286-1991, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We value your patronage and hope to have the opportunity to continue to serve you.

Sincerely,

Melinda Cervantes, Director, Santa Clara County Library District