Thats Public Library NOT Free Library

[bkbroil]

Ehh, Yo! I wuz readin' in da Star Ledger dat a Joysee libwrary is nah chahgin' a buck fer internet usage.... Wha' gives? Dis gotsta end...its dun...takin' care of..fuhget abowt it..
Translation: An article in the Star Ledger is about a New Jersey library (Bloomfield Public Library) is now charging $1.00 for an hour of Internet Access. I know this site is always bringing up the latest gadgets and hotspot information but I still beleive that there should be ONE place in the community where you can enjoy information for FREE! And THAT INCLUDES INTERNET ACCESS!
What do you think? Should the public libraries charge for internet usage?

Gus Rodulfo heads to the Bloomfield Public Library about three times a week to log on to the Internet.
The Filipino immigrant, who doesn't have a computer, relies on the library's Internet access to keep in touch with his family via e-mail and to search the Web to find out what is happening back home.

So he was surprised when, after months of using the service for free, he recently had to start paying $1 an hour.
"To someone who makes a lot, (a dollar) may not be much," said Rodulfo, a Bloomfield resident and library card holder. "On my part, it is an additional cost."
Bloomfield's may be the first public library in the nation to charge library card holders for the Internet, national library officials said.

[knelson]

You bring up a very interesting subject ... wonder if the board is political? One time I was doing a presentation for HUD and my topic, tongue in cheek to invoke thought was tax the poor, because they cost the government more! In that light, who should pay for this man's internet access? What is the difference between basic rights and luxaries.?