Huntsville, AL, Library Bans Paid Tutors from Branches

Director: local business made library branch its primary location

Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 09/09/2009

• Tutors used all seats at branch
• Patron complaints led to discovered ordinance
• Positive staff, patron feedback

Many more seats are available at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library (HMCPL), AL, in particular the Madison Branch, as paid tutors have been banned from offering their services on the premises. Although the ban went into effect last spring, local media are reporting on the ban now, as the beginning of the school year brings on increased interest in tutorial services.

Last spring, every seat at the Madison Branch was taken up by tutors and their students, from the minute school was out until closing, HMCPL director Laurel Best told LJ. 

A local tutoring service built its entire business model around meeting at the library, she said. "We want students in the library all the time," said Best, but not under these circumstances.

City ordinance forbids businesses on premises
When patrons began complaining about competing with tutors for seating and resources, HMCPL staff sought to create a tutor policy, and found out that a relevant city ordinance already existed. 

The ordinance for Code 1982, Sec. 18-34, Public buildings, other public areas, states, "It shall be unlawful for any person to peddle, hawk, sell, or offer for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise upon the premises of the… public library… without first having secured a written permit or written permission from the director."

Staff, patrons are satisfied
Staff are very happy with the new policy, said Best, who noted that there are fewer conflicts. Patrons are happier too. In a Huntsville Times article, the business owner said his service was just to match tutors and students, and location was up to them. 

In a recent television segment about the issue, some two-thirds of those responding to a poll opposed paid tutors in libraries.