GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Kent District Library (KDL) is facing a critical vote in the Nov. 7 election, hoping to get approval from voters for a new 15-year millage to fund the library system through 2039.
"We feel like the public really supports the institution and what we stand for, and we're looking forward to seeing the results on Tuesday," KDL Executive Director Lance Werner said.
At an annual cost to taxpayers of just over $1 for every $1,000 in taxable home property value, KDL said it's a 10.9% decrease from the library's current millage.
Werner said that, due to an increase in taxable values around the county, KDL is now able to seek the decrease while maintaining the same levels of service.
"We understand that people are struggling right now, and we want to make sure people keep more of their own money," Werner said. "We feel like we should never ask for any money that we don't need, and that's what good government looks like."
In recent months, however, local libraries, including KDL, have received pushback to renewed funding and participation.
Earlier this year in Algoma Township, a proposal was put on the ballot to separate from KDL.
Some in Algoma saw the problem as costs that were too high to justify.
"KDL costs a fortune and we've got to get rid of it," one member of the public told the Algoma Township Board in January.
Others took issue with what they saw as explicit materials offered by KDL to which they didn't want to contribute. Some even went so far as to distribute flyers spreading claims of a drag queen reading hour that KDL said it did not offer.
In neighboring Ottawa County, voters in 2022 chose not to renew Jamestown Township's operating millage over concerns regarding its offering of LGBTQ-related content - essentially pushing the library toward eventual closure without additional aid.
While KDL is funded through 2024, Werner said, without a new millage, they could face similar troubles in keeping services going.
"If we were not successful in this millage, we would probably, I presume, go on the ballot again and try again," Werner said. "If we were unable to get our millage passed, we would have to close eventually. There's no doubt about it, because the tax funding makes up such a large proportion of our funding."
As Algoma voters ultimately decided in May to stay with KDL, Werner said he's not concerned about potential opposition.
He based on what he said his team has come to know about the people they serve.
"People in Kent County truly value the Constitution and their civil rights, and they also value the fact that the library stands for everybody in the county," Werner said. "We support everyone in the county, and nobody gets left behind. That is our motto; we are the public library that serves the public."
Polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.
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