January 23, 1992
CHANCELLORS
Dear Colleagues:
Supplemental language in the Budget Bill for 1990-91 requested that the University conduct a review of its policies on fees for external users of its libraries and specifically exempt California public school certificated employees from payment of such fees. That review produced several recommendations for revision of current Presidential policy. The enclosed Policy on Access to University of California Library Collections by External Users, incorporating those recommendations, is effective February 1, 1992. It supersedes the Policy on Proposed Fees for External Users--Libraries, which was effective July 1, 1983, and the Policy Statement on Library Direct Borrowing by California Higher Education Institutions' Faculty Members dated February 28, 1964.
The Policy incorporates the exemption from user fees for California public school certificated employees requested by the Legislature. Also, eligibility for reduced-fee student cards is now restricted to students of the California State University and California Community College systems, to provide the campuses greater flexibility in negotiating library access agreements with private colleges and universities. In addition, new introductory language in the Policy provides relevant background information for the convenience of University staff and State personnel. Finally, the fees charged for external users, which were last set in 1983, are increased from $50 per year to $100 per year to compensate for inflation-related increases in the cost of UC library collections and operations. Fees for registered students of the California State University and California Community College systems are increased from $24 per year ($12 for six months) to $50 per year ($25 for six month). As we discussed at the October 2, 1991 meeting of the Council of Chancellors, the Policy does not affect library benefits for members of UC alumni associations, who continue to be eligible for borrowing privileges without fee.
I appreciate your advice and assistance in developing this Policy.
Sincerely,
David Pierpont Gardner