Re: Research Fee
I will admit from the outset, that I
am writing from the standpoint of a researcher. I have come
across only a few institutions that charge a research fee. Even
in times of financial woes, I find this practice counter productive.
From my perspective, museums and libraries should be trying to
maximize the "use" of their collections, rather than
providing any impediment at all. This goes as well for
high-priced image use fees.
When I consider the implications for
the institution, it doesn't make sense for second reason. If
your collection--archives or objects--are included in a publication,
it certainly raises the stature of your institution and of your
collection. You might think of this as well-placed publicity,
depending upon the nature of the publication.
I can't imagine that, even if a
library/archive/museum did charge a fee, that such a fee would offset
much of anything. In fact, the cost to process a nominal
fee--using staff time--can actually cost the institution.
Anna Fariello
I'm posting
this question for a colleague:
"Do any
of you charge the general public for access to your reading room or
research library? If so, how much and is that fee applied
towards something specific at your institution?"
Thank you.
--
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Anna Fariello, Curatorial InSight, Box 505, Christiansburg VA
24068
www.curatorialinsight.com; 540-382-3946;
[log in to unmask]
Interdisciplinary Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg VA 24061-0227
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