How to Use the Library in 2023
Starting from January 1st, 2023, several points of the Metropolitan Ervin Szabó Library's Terms of Use will be amended based on a decision made by the Human Resources Committee of the General Assembly of Budapest No. 139/2022 (XII. 13.).
Here is a summary of the changes:
The annual administration fee for the registration card will increase from HUF 200 to HUF 300. Simultaneously, the range of services available with a registration card will be limited to the basic services listed in the law on culture. These include visiting the Library, using the collection sections designated by the Library on the premises, using the catalog, and obtaining information about the Library's services and the library system. As of January 1st, 2023, the library computers and WiFi can only be used by those who have a daily ticket or a library membership card with borrowing privileges.
Certain services and enrollment fees will rise by less than the inflation rate, specifically by an average of 10%. The price of a daily ticket will increase from HUF 1,100 to HUF 1,500.
However, becoming a member will still be free for young people under 16 years old and persons over the age of 70 years. We will continue to provide the previous membership discounts in 2023.
The fees for library visits for tourist purposes will also change from January 2023. The tourist ticket, for individual visitors without guidance, will cost HUF 1,700. A WiFi code will also be available, valid for the day, allowing free internet access throughout the library area. The price of a guided library tour in Hungarian will be HUF 1,700 per person, while the student and pensioner ticket will be available for HUF 500. The price of the library tour in English will be increased to HUF 2,500 per person.
Programs organized for student groups will remain free of charge, regardless of content and duration.
Late fees for all types of library materials, except for DVDs, will increase to HUF 65 per volume or piece per calendar day. However, MESZL will continue to send free email notifications before the loan period expires for borrowed works, allowing readers to avoid incurring late fees and even renew their borrowed documents online.
As a new convenience service, in addition to sending notifications before the loan expiration, we will also introduce the sending of notification emails before the library membership expires from January 1st, 2023 (card expiry reminder notice).
We recommend that you check your contact email address on our website (login) to enjoy the privileges of the services mentioned above..
The technical cost of copies of documents belonging to the museum collection for public use will be reduced from HUF 800 per image to HUF 600 per image.
We will continue to extend the number of MESZL branch libraries that provide the service of credit card payment. As of January 2023, readers can now pay via POS terminals in 28 MESZL branch libraries. The list of libraries providing the service of payment by credit card is available here.
To accommodate the needs of our readers, the opening hours of some of our branch libraries will also change from January 2023. The opening hours for 2023 can be found in Appendix 5 to the Terms of Use and on the website of our branch libraries.
The charges valid from January 1st 2023 are set out in Appendix 7 to the Terms of Use.
We wish all our users a happy and peaceful new year and look forward to welcoming you back in 2023!
Photo: MESZL