More changes possible for Peter White Public Library

MARQUETTE — Patrons at the Peter White Public Library have seen some big changes in the past months, and there may be more in store.

This was the major topic of discussion at Tuesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting. The Library has faced about $60,000 in budget cuts this year, and has had to cut their hours. They now open an hour later than before and are closed altogether on Sundays. Patrons haven’t always been excited about the changes.

“We are more than just a library. People us for programs, they use us for meetings, they come here to study, they use our public access computers, our wireless internet. So, it’s very hard to look at what all people use and find a time that works for everyone,” said Pam Christensen, Library Director.

The Board considered closing on Fridays instead of Sundays, but surveys found that patrons preferred to have Fridays open. There are a few other ideas being bounced around.

“Another thing we’re looking at is trying to increase our revenues and possibly doing additional fundraising, additional grant writing. And then also, long–term, possibly doing a Headlee override in the city and the townships we serve. Or, the legislation that established the library also allows us to ask city voters for an additional half a mil[lion],” added Christensen

The board voted to approve the budget as is, to continue with the Sunday closing schedule and implement other cost saving measures once tax tribunal rulings were handed down.