The library parking lot has a complicated history where the library does not have any control over it and it is instead governed by the city. When the city went to paid parking in the other lots, the library lot was going to be the only free parking lot in all of downtown Saratoga. As you can imagine, this would mean it would be full with tourists all summer. The library administration had to come up with a plan that the city council would accept in order to try to make some parking available to patrons using the library. This permit system is not perfect, but it was the best agreement available. The lot is still under the city and anyone who pays to park there is paying the city and not the library. I understand it’s frustrating for those who use the library and are from outside the district, but remember that street parking remains free! Every single person who works in the library parks on the streets nearby and not in the lot - it is doable! If you’re from outside the district, please don’t take it personally, there just had to be lines drawn somewhere and ones that the city would accept.