ROCKFORD, Mich. — The City of Rockford is asking people to consider a millage proposal that would provide funding to expand the Krause Memorial Library.
If approved, the proposal would be on the Nov. 5 ballot. The increase would cost the average Rockford homeowner about $115 a year, or just over $2 a week.
Rockford City Manager Thad Beard said the millage would go toward expanding the current library space, making the library more accessible and creating more areas for community use.
"The children's programs especially are well received, and it's really difficult for parents of young children to come to those programs only for the child to look at it from around the corner and not actually participate, because the area is overwhelmed with the number of kids that want to participate," Beard said, adding that staff plan to double the square footage to make more room for visitors.
Beard said the library needs to take steps to become more accessible. He said the older building means doorways, ramps, stairs and aisleways are not easy to access with wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility devices.
"So it has been over 30 years since we expanded the library at all. It is in need of some love," said Beard.
Rockford has already gathered raised $5 million toward the project. Beard said $2 million came from Kent County, but that the project needs to be completed by December 2026 to keep the funding.
In total, the expansion is estimated to cost almost $12 million.
Beard said the expansion would affect the entire region, not just Rockford residents. The library currently serves about 42,000 people across multiple townships.
Krause Memorial Library is a branch of the Kent District Library system. It was moved to its current location in 1937 and expanded twice in 1963 and then in 1989.