Three township libraries rejoin the Chippewa River District Library system; Sherman Township starts own library
Earlier this month, three townships rejoined the Chippewa River District Library after adopting millages similar to the ones which failed in August.
Coe, Fremont and Rolland townships approved millages, which allowed them to reopen their township libraries. The libraries were no longer part of the CRDL system as of Sept. 30.
“We wouldn’t get the money to fund the libraries until January, but we were able to reopen them already,” said Lise Mitchell, Chippewa River District Libraries director.
According to Mitchell, the CRDL is looking for community input on ways to improve the libraries. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Coe Township Hall in Shepherd, Dec. 8 at the Fremont Township Hall in Winn and Dec. 9 at the Rolland Township Hall in Blanchard.
“We have been able to replace all of the computers and add laptops as well as increase internet access to the public computers thanks to a co-pay grant for public libraries,” Mitchell said.
Another constraint they are working with is limited space. Mitchell said they are looking for ways to expand the library to allow for more room.
People who live outside the district are able to purchase a library card to access the library resources. The cost is $130 for a year and $70 for six months. Mitchell said if someone supports a local library that is not a part of the District they are given access as well.
“We just want people to support public libraries,” Mitchell said. “We only receive 18 cents per person from the state so the majority of our and other public libraries, comes from the community.”
Sherman Township also passed a millage which will allow them to open their own township library.
“We do not begin to receive funding until our next fiscal year, which begins April 1,” said Shirley Thompson, president of the Sherman Library Board.
Monday night was the first meeting of the board and they began to organize and to work towards state certification Thompson said. They have to go through paperwork showing they are no longer part of the CRDL and their library is up to state requirements.
“I expect that by January 1 we will be recognized as a Township Library,” Thompson said. “We have a building ready and all of the books and computers already so it’s just waiting for the paperwork to go through.”
The state mandates the minimum amount of hours that a township library has to be open for. Thompson said they expect to meet the minimum and expand from there.
Another township, Nottawa, does not have a township library. Before Sherman Township was forced to close their library, Nottawa Township used the resources of the Sherman library.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to contract with Sherman township again,” said Sherman Township Clerk Judith Schumacher.
