Public Library Charging for Wireless Access

The Winnipeg Public Library is charging patrons for use of the wireless access to the Internet.  There is no charge for access to the library resources like the catalog or databases.  However, access to the Internet is $3 Canadian per hour.  This is to help pay for the installation of the Internet, which was $23,000.

At this point, only one one-hour passes are available at a time, but the Internet provider does have other subscription options.  Some of the revenue will go back to the library.  I wonder how long it will take to recoup the installation costs?  And if they’ve budgeted for on-going costs?

[from Library Journal]

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