EDITOR’S NOTE: Dorr Township Library Board President Rachel Vote will present a weekly column up until the Aug. 6 special election vote on a one-mill levy for the library. Because of the importance of this election, she promises to offer as much information as possible.
by Rachel Vote
Over the last ten years, the Dorr Township Library has improved technology, resources and class offerings to meet the needs of the residents of the township. The library wants to continue to offer a variety of program resources and opportunities, but needs the residents’ help to do so.
The Dorr Township Library is asking for voters to approve one mill of funding in the Aug. 6 special election. With the increase in funding, the library would improve technology, including installing wireless internet throughout the building, upgrading hardware and software (computers, printers, projectors, the website), and adding more electronic resources (e-books, audiobooks, digital magazines).
One service that has been requested by many patrons is Hoopla, which allows library patrons to check out movies, ebooks, audiobooks and music. Patrons would have access to much more content than is currently available through the library’s digital consortium. Hoopla is not offered by Dorr Library now because it is approximately $10,000 a year, an expense the library can not afford under the current budget.
An approved millage would allow for improvements to entrances and restrooms. The side door to the library needs to be brought up to ADA guidelines. The restrooms have plumbing issues that require a lot of work. Though the building is owned by the township, there are not funds in the township budget to make the improvements the library needs.
The library receives a $50,000 contribution from the township annually to help make ends meet. If the millage passes in August, the library would no longer take that appropriation from the township and that money could be used for other areas of the community.
Though moving from 0.3 to 1.0 mill is an increase, it is needed to allow the library to meet the needs of the community. Ten years ago, when the 0.3 millage was initially passed, the library did not offer as many services and programs as it does now. Digital resources were not as popular or as accessible. The programing and course offerings have increased over the past decade, based on community interest.
If the millage does not pass, Dorr Township Library has enough funds to stay open for about eight months. After that, the township appropriation, funds from penal fines, and other current sources of income would barely cover the cost of paying personnel, never mind to pay the remaining costs needed to keep the doors of the library open.
Next steps would include operating at reduced hours with reduced staff, and eventually having to close the doors of the library. The state does not allow libraries to stay open without adequate funding.
If the library becomes underfunded, which will happen if the millage doesn’t pass, patrons will have to pay to use other libraries. We’ve heard some residents say that if the library closes, there are other library branches within driving distance. While that’s true, if Dorr Township has an unfunded or underfunded library, we would no longer be part of the Lakeland Library Consortium, which means that other library resources would no longer be free to Dorr residents.
Passing this millage is vital to continuing the education and future of Dorr.