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(Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said the current millage rate dropped lower than it did because of a Headlee rollback. The current library tax is about .52 mills)

On May 2, Lyon Township voters are being asked to approve of a millage increase that would be used to fund expanded services at the existing library.

"We want to expand our evening and weekend hours. We are a bedroom community. We realize how hard it is for patrons to get here after they get home from work," Library Director Holly Teasdle said.

Additional funding would allow the library to be open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday instead of closing at 8 p.m. and expand weekend hours. It would also allow the library to expand its collection, provide more downloadable eBooks and audio books cutting down wait time, provide more online databases and eliminate movie rental fees.

"Based on surveys that we've done in the past, we know what patrons are going to other libraries for. There are certain things like downloadable books that only cardholders at that library can access," Teasdle said. "We have a basic package of OverDrive for eBooks but we don't have separate titles. We don't have downloadable magazines."

Last summer, voters rejected two ballot proposals that would have paid funded construction of a new library and an increased operational millage. Following the election, Teasdle said the library board decided to table looking at a new library and instead focus on the library services.

The library operating millage is expiring at the end of the year. It began as .53-mill and today is .52-mill following Headlee rollbacks. With the current millage, the library had $492,600 in revenue in 2016. Voters are being asked to consider a .36-mill increase for a total .89 mills, which would generate an estimated $782,273 for library services in 2017. The tax request comes during a special election.

The ballot language spells out that the millage — which would be levied for 10 years if approved — would be used to enhance services in the existing building on Milford Road.

The average cost per household for the library millage would just more than $100 annually, which Teasdle noted would fund the purchase of three hardcover books and two movies. Instead, she said that amount would fund access to hundreds of thousands in books, movies, audio books and library services.

The Lyon Township Library circulated 120,000 items in 2016. There are 6,000 library card holders in the township.

"That number seemed low in comparison to the population, which is 18,000 to 19,000. In so many families, the mom has a library card — not the kids and not dad," said Teasdle, who researched the matter. "I wanted to know how many households had library cards. There are 75 percent of the households in the township that have  a library card. The number of library cards isn't representative."

A comment that Teasdle often hears from residents is that they are using a different library, in particular the Novi Library. Lyon Township Library cardholders can utilize libraries on a reciprocal basis but don't have complete access to the entire collection and programs at other libraries.

Also, heavy use of outside libraries can result in township residents being blocked from using that library. The Salem South Lyon District Library is a case in point, having approved a policy about 15 years ago stopping township residents from accessing their collection.

"Over 10 percent of their circulation at the time came from the township," said Teasdle, noting township residents are charged $120 a year for a SSLDL library card. "If we joined the district library, people would have to pay more."

Open seven days a week, Teasdle said the library provides all kinds of services through its collection, access to the materials from other libraries on a loan basis, computers, printing and a variety of programs.

"The library has become more of a hub for the community. There are so many things to do — movies, printing, fax, the family history center and genealogy," she said. "We have over 100 magazines and newspaper descriptions."

The polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. Absentee ballots are available from township hall.


lrogers@hometownlife.com
734-883-9039
Twitter: @LRogersObserver

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