Bedford branch library seeks millage renewal
Bedford’s library branch is asking the township to consider placing a current millage on the ballot for renewal to assure funding through 2028.
During its meeting this week, the Bedford Township Board of Trustees invited representatives from the Bedford branch library to offer information about a possible millage renewal on this November’s ballot. The 0.25-mill currently funds general operations and capital improvements for the library.
Denise Ellsworth, Treasurer of the Library Advisory Board, offered some background information about what the current millage, which Bedford voters approved in 2018, has funded so far. Upgrades included HVAC updates, new quiet study rooms, carpeting and more.
Ellsworth said renewing the millage would generate about $300,000 per year for the next 5 years. She asserted that, since the township owns the library branch and is responsible for its upkeep, it is up to the board to place it on the ballot. Potential improvements were also presented as a list to the board and included various technology, safety, handicapped accessibility and landscape projects.
Jodi Russ, Community Librarian at the Bedford branch, explained that technology has not rendered local libraries obsolete.
“I know there are a lot of people who wonder why libraries still exist and if libraries are used when you can find everything you need in other places,” she said. “I wanted to assure people that we’re nearly back to our pre-pandemic numbers.”
Russ reported that the libraries digital services continue to grow at about 18% of the branch’s total circulation. This includes electronic books and other digital media, available for free to library card holders.
Russ added that community involvement remains strong, and that 12,341 people have attended Bedford branch programs in 2022, which includes outreach events to schools and other community locations.
Russ also reported that the branch’s meeting rooms, which are available for other organizations to book, are still in heavy use, and the Community Room was booked 32 times in June alone.
The library’s new quiet study rooms have also been in heavy use, Russ added.
“They’ve been very popular with college students and those doing online education,” she said.
Russ then noted that the library is an important community resource for helping children learn to read and socialize with other children.
“Socialization is a big issue for every age group,” she said. “We do all kinds of programs for that.”
Other activities at the library, such as yoga and tai chi classes and the Genealogy Club, promote general human interaction.
“Human beings are made to have relationships with each other, and I it’s been difficult to do that over the last several years,” she said. “We’re a great place to do that.”
Trustee Todd Bruning then asked Russ what the library plans to do if a millage renewal fails.
Russ said that if it does not pass, then the township’s general fund is responsible for upkeep. Currently, the library has enough money to run for roughly 2.5 more years.
Trustee Craig Montri said he thinks the money from the previous millage should have lasted longer – about 8 years by his estimate. Montri questioned the necessity of a recent carpet replacement, which cost approximately $140,000.
“We should have been better stewards…with the current millage,” Montri said.
However, Russ explained that the current balance and money coming in from 2022 could likely last a full 8 years, which would meet Montri’s expectations.
The board took no action at the meeting, since the presentation by the library was simply a proposal for future board support and action. An actual resolution to put the millage renewal on the November ballot would occur at a later board meeting.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Bedford branch library seeks millage renewal
