In China, fee-based services were introduced into a few public libraries in the beginning of the 1980s, and now charging fees for some kinds of library services pervades the country. Although the fee-based services are favored by certain types of library users such as small-to-medium-sized enterprises, Chinese public libraries are faced with difficulties in providing these services.
First, this paper explores background factors of the fee-based services, including reforms in Chinese economy, improvements of research management system in science and technology, financial and management problems in public libraries. Then, the effects that the governmental notifications and regulations have had on charging fees for library services are identified. Also, the present state of fee-based services are described, presenting two cases of public library fee charging practices.
Finally, future directions in fee-based services in Chinese public libraries are suggested.
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