I would like to throw my ideas into the discussion about library/arhives user fees. First, I think the discussion has gotten side-tracked from the original issue, which was the charging of a user fee by an archives for research services. This is separate from the issue of charging an admissions fee to general museum visitors. Second, I would agree that tax-payers should not have to pay twice IF they have already paid for the services they are requesting. But have they really? It is not the taxpayers, but government officials who allocate the funds to the various departments and agencies which render services to the public. Often, these officials do not have a realistic idea about what those agencies do (particularly in the case of cultural institutions - they often are operating with stereotypical models which are outdated and do not reflect the realities of a fast-changing profession). If taxpayers want these services, then it is their respon- sibility to communicate that to those holding the purse strings and make sure that monies are properly allocated. If not, then they should be willing to pay a user fee. Either way, they're going to have to pay more. Third, let's be real about this. Charging 10 cents per page for photocopies and five dollars or under as a user fee is hardly going to "perpetuate elitism", as has been claimed in this discussion. Special provisions could be made for students and other researchers who simply could not afford even such a small fee. Most of us (and I don't include myself among the rich) can afford $5. If you can afford to go to a movie, or pay for a sandwich for lunch once in a while, you can afford a modest user fee. Fourth, this discussion list is intended for just that - discussion. We should be able to express differences of opinion without taking things personally or getting hot under the collar. So let's all chill out. The weekend's almost here! By the way, the opinions expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily represent those of the Tempe Historical Museum. Amy Douglass Tempe Historical Museum [log in to unmask]