A Borrower Be—For a Fee

Guest borrowers from Baker and its satellite facilities have been asked to pay an annual fee of $100 or a monthly charge of $10, for the privilege, according to a new policy announced by Edward Connery Lathem, Dean of the College Libraries. "Guest borrowers" defines that group beyond the students and college staff and their immediate families, which accounts for between 12 and 15 per cent of all library transactions. Alumni of the College will be allowed a 50 per cent reduction in the fee.

Citing the substantial cost to the College of providing such service as the reason for the new lending policy, Lathem added his hope that in-library use of materials by "external scholars" can continue to be accorded without a fee. The College libraries will also continue, where possible, to make materials available by loan through appropriate local libraries, Lathem said.