[Libs-Or] When library patrons collect money for services provided to other library patrons - in the library

[Christy Davis]

Library community, I am wondering how you deal with the issue of money being collected for services inside the library.  Our policy clearly states that one cannot sell, advertise for, nor "set up shop" inside our facility.  Last week when reading our local newspaper, a member on staff noticed that there was an article about a local woman who provides instruction on how to crochet. In the article, she said she charges so much per hour and that she teaches...in our library. This was rather surprising to us. Then we started talking about the long tradition of tutoring that takes place in the library. It makes sense to have students tutored in a public space, and we are fairly certain that the majority of tutors are collecting revenue for their services.  That said, staff never see money changing hands for tutoring, nor do they hear any discussions about what various tutors charge.  We're not exactly sure how to proceed. If we say to the crochet instructor that she cannot teach here for money, then do we also tell the tutors they cannot tutor here?  Is the issue the actual exchange of services for money, or the fact that we found out about being advertised? One thing that's extra confounding is that WE pay an instructor to teach crochet classes here at the library - for anyone to take.  I'd love to know if your library has had similar issues and what you've done about them. Thank you.


- Christy

Christy Davis, Director
Silver Falls Library District
cdavis at silverfallslibrary.org<mailto:cdavis at silverfallslibrary.org>
503-873-5770

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