From April 7 Nottingham City Library and Information Services are introducing revised fees and charges which will see a lower common rental charge applied to library users.

The principle of lower common rental charges enables a greater equality of access for all customers, helping people on low incomes to use a full range of library services.

Reduced rental charges apply to CDs, DVDs, videos, language courses and from April 7 CD Roms, spoken word tapes and CDs will be FREE OF CHARGE.

As an example, a week’s rental of a DVD has been reduced from £1.50 to £1.00 for adults and from £1.00 to 50p for children. A week’s rental of a single CD will cost 50p, reduced from 75p. As a result of these new lower charges the number of discounts and exemptions has been reduced, and now mainly apply just to looked after children. Some users (disabled, over 60s, housebound and asylum seekers) who currently qualify for reductions to their rental charges or are exempt will in future pay more.

As part of the changes, non-members of a City or County library will be charged to use computers, bringing the charges in line with those of the City Tourist Office. This service will remain FREE for residents in the City who have a library membership card or Citycard which can be activated for use in libraries.

Christina Dyer, Head of Service said:
"We’re aware that many people in Nottingham who are on low disposable incomes do not qualify for exemptions and concessions. A number of options were explored with the Council’s Community and Equality group who gave their support to our final decision. By introducing a new low charge for everyone we hope to make our services more available to all.

She added:
"We have an ongoing series of events at all our libraries and these are normally FREE to attend and available to everyone; details of these are advertised in local libraries and in the local papers."

Charges for overdue items will remain the same for the first three weeks (10p per item per day) with a 5p increase to 15p for the next four weeks. Normal exemptions to fines will remain the same.

There are several ways to renew items, on the phone on a 24/7 automatic number - 0845 33004435; on the web site www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/libraries and by phone or in person at any library in the city.