A few years ago, the King County Library used to mail books that were on hold to patrons when they came in. Then funding ran out and they stopped.

I asked if they could mail holds for patrons who were willing to pay the fees, and was told “No, that would create a different class of service between people who could afford pay and those who could not.”

Isn’t HOT lanes exactly that, a different class of public use based on who can afford it? Seems to me either the librarian was mistaken, or HOT lanes are a violation of free access to public services and infrastructure.

Either ditch HOT lanes or start “mail holds for a fee” to KCLS. I’m sure the library could use the money.

Geoff Hazel