Why do Museums charge fees?

Both museums and libraries are run by (typically local) government municipalities. However, as I am sure you are aware they have greatly varying roles, and the fees have to do with their expenditures. Libraries maintain books, purchace new books, and then staff the library with typically medium to low wage workers to perform the menial tasks needed to organize and stock the library. A museum, however, deals with art and history. They must obtain and aquire these artifacts, which are often associated with enormous price tags. The people overseeing the operation of these institutions are generally some of the best educated people around, doctorates and intelligencia, who command sometimes significant salaries. Then there is also the research and field work that a museum will sponsor. Art museums as well will have restoration and maintenance cost for artwork, which is much more expensive to maintain, particularly due to the specialized and difficult work involved. Thus, it boils down to a huge difference in the cost of operation, and it is much easier to run a library on government funding and library fees than it is to do so with a museum, be it historical or art.

In fact, neither museums nor libraries are generally government property. Libraries are generally operated by free standing, non-profit organizations which generally do receive financial support from some public entity such as city, county, or state. This support generally allows libraries to operate free of charge for the public good.

Museums are generally set up similarly but with little or no financial support from local governments. They often depend greatly on contributions and fund raisers. But still need to charge a small fee to help cover their expenses. Nevertheless, many will offer discounts to seniors and children and many have free days (usually at their slowest times like mid-week).

Because those museums are not wholely financed thru the government....the rest is payed for with fees

Libraries also charge fees,,,take a book back late once

Most facilities that are free are trashed by slobs who feel that if they don't have to pay, they have no responsibility. By charging a modest fee, museums and other public places (like zoos) will discourage the kind of patron who will throw paper on the ground, curse, "cruise" around in rude groups, and generally ruin a good place for families and friends.

Not all museums are government owned. In these cases, they are private, non-profit organizations who need the fees for the upkeep and to pay the bills.

Not all museums are government property!

And why shouldn't they charge the people who are actually visiting them instead of just every taxpayer?

Government funding only gets you so far.

To pay staff and upkeep I assume.

they dont in Scotland and i think the rest of the UK :)