Library millages up for vote
MARQUETTE — With prominent financial cutbacks already affecting the Peter White Public Library, residents will have a chance to increase some of its revenue come election day.
The Library Services Contract will show up on the ballots for those voting in Chocolay, Sands, Skandia and West Branch Townships next Tuesday. The same millage will appear for those in Marquette Township on November 8.
The potential increased revenue would account for 23 percent of their two million dollar budget.
“The library has already seen cuts due to the tax tribunal issues and a few other taxing issues that have happened over the past few years. We’ve already reduced hours, which nobody is real happy with, we’ve reduced staffing and e don’t want to have to reduce library programming further,” said Peter White Public Library Director, Andrea Ingmire. “The townships not passing the millages would be very detrimental to the library’s budget.”
The money from the passed millages will go towards supporting general library operations, like staffing and keeping regular programs up and running.
“One of the things that makes this library so special is the staff,” Ingmire added. “For parents who have young children and come in and see those friendly faces in the children’s room, that’s where their money is really going- to the staff. The staff are what makes this place tick.”
If all five townships pass the millages, the library will receive nearly $500,000.