Four townships approve millages in election, get libraries
Four townships can reopen libraries since Tuesday’s elections.
Rolland, Coe and Fremont townships voted by narrow margins to adopt millages, allowing them to join the Chippewa River District Library.
The Coe Township millage adopted by about 25 votes and Fremont by about 20, said Fremont County Clerk John Schimmelmann.
“I think it’s important to have a library in the township. It’s an opportunity for education advancement.” he said, “I just wished it had passed by a greater percentage. Hopefully, it will be an advantage in the long run.”
Meanwhile, Sherman Township’s millage was to open its own independent township library. The millage was approved in a 490-330 vote.
“We received petitions from community members to have this put on the ballots.” said Sherman Township Clerk Denise Livermore. “I think it’s important to have a library and the community does too.”
In August, the three townships and Sherman all had the same millage on their ballots, but were voted down. If one township’s voters failed to approve the millage, it was not adopted in any of the townships. For the general election, it was reintroduced for each township individually.
The townships joining CRDL will receive many benefits, said Rob Wang, library marketing and communications manager.
“By joining the district, the townships will receive stable funding,” Wang said. “They will be able to consolidate resources such as administration to one location and they will be able to engage in some long-term planning about services, hours and available space.”
For people who do not live within the district, they are still able to walk in and browse the shelves, but in order to have borrowing privileges, they will have to purchase a library card.
“We set the rates for the library card based on the average taxes of a household,” Wang said. “It’s set at $70 for six months and $130 for a year ... and it doesn’t matter how many people live in the household. Everyone living there can use the libraries.”
The cost for the library membership is the same amount as the cost for people who live in the district and pay the library taxes.
“I think it’s good that these townships joined,” Wang said. I think it is important for everyone to have access to a library.”
