200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Suite #433
Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: JUNE 17, 2025
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION TO APPROVE LIBRARY FEES FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025/2026
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 20-E
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That City Council, by Resolution, approve and adopt the Library Fines and Fees Schedules as part of the Community Services Department, Library Services Division budget for FY 2025/26, becoming effective July 1, 2025.
DISCUSSION:
Over a decade ago, Anaheim Public Library (APL) began offering Online Service Cards without geographic limitations, allowing residents outside Anaheim to access our online resources. This was manageable until 2024, when a surge in online applications, driven by Google search results and outside social media, overwhelmed library staff, with tens of thousands of applications received in just a few months. In response to this spike, APL paused accepting applications from individuals outside of Anaheim.
In FY 2024/2025, the City Council approved a $50 annual fee for out-of-state/out-of- country cardholders. The intention was to help recover the expenses associated with providing these users access to APL's online services. After evaluating the first nine months of this annual fee, APL found that not enough users were willing to pay a fee (allowing for economies of scale), and those that were willing to pay were using more ebooks than their fees paid for. While APL’s mission is to serve the Anaheim community, the increasing burden of supporting non-resident users has proven unsustainable and will be discontinued.
As a part of the budget preparation process, staff evaluated the current fees charged, which include facility rentals. Costs related to these programs and services have continued to rise and as such, a 3% increase rounded up to the next dollar is proposed to offset rising costs. A summary of the current and proposed fees for FY 2025/2026 is presented in “Exhibit A.” The Library Board made a thorough review of the proposed fees and gave its support at the March 10, 2025 Board meeting. City Council approval of these fees would allow them to take effect beginning July 1, 2025.
Resolution to Approve Library Fees for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 June 17, 2025
Staff are confident that care has been taken to adjust fees as necessary and is cognizant of the City Council’s desire to keep our fee structure as reasonable and moderate as possible for residents.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
The proposed fees and charges have been included as part of the revenues projected in the proposed FY 2025/2026 budget for the Community Services Department.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachment:
1. Resolution