Library taken over by charity to charge fees (UK)

Residents in Bexley will have to pay a membership fee to have full access to their public library. Bexley Library, which is run by the borough council, is to be handed over to a community group which is set to charge users £24 a year. Although non-paying users will still be able to borrow books, paying members will be able to take out more and keep them for an unlimited time. Other benefits will include some free time on public computers - all other computer time will be charged - discounts in the café and priority booking for events. There will also be a "gold" membership where customers can join as a patron for £75 a year. Bexley Village Community Library, the group taking control, said it would reinvest income earned through membership in new library stock. The move, which will come into effect on April 1, is expected to save council bosses about £40,000 a year. However, Bexley council said it would not be handing over control of any other libraries