Marquette, MI – September 19, 2018 – Library Director of Marquette’s Peter White Public Library (PWPL) Andrea Ingmire joined the Marquette West as today’s luncheon guest speaker. Ingmire updated Rotarians on the ongoing construction at the PWPL and the library’s plan to ask for a Headlee Override on the November 6th Ballot.
So what’s going on at the Library?
Starting off with a review of the renovations, the Rotary heard a lot about how the construction will spiff things up at the Library. The facility will receive new carpet and furniture as well new atrium windows and a better heating and cooling system in the rooms to make our Library a comfortable place to be. The children’s area is being opened up into a larger space with a new Tween Zone on the way too.
Along with many of the program and meeting rooms getting face lifts, the outside of the building is seeing a lot of work as well. Workers are putting in a new retaining wall which will help improve the garden and green areas. There are new seating areas under the trees on the east side of the building and soon there will be a cooler with sandwiches for purchase. Another exciting upgrade will be the new self-check out system to make taking out books or movies as quick and painless as possible!
What’s this about a Headlee Override?
Unfortunately during renovations surprises do happen. While working on the building, they found that the stairs need work, which was not in the original plan. The Library also lost $84,000 in revenue as of July 2018, which is were the Headlee Override comes in.
Andrea Ingmire explained that the library is looking to stabilize funding with the Headlee Override. On November 6, 2018, the ballot proposal will be out in the City of Marquette, Chocolay Township, Powell Township, Marquette Township, and Sands Township where residents can vote to support our library. The Headlee Override will restore the original millage rates for library services to help balance the operating budget.
The proposal is certainly for a good cause, but how will the override effect residents once approved?
The truth is, residents will barely notice! In the City of Marquette, the annual household impact from the Headlee Override will be $9.86, the equivalent of two pints from a local craft brewery, or $0.82 monthly. Chocolay Township residents would see a $20.37 increase, still only $1.70 per month.
Tax revenue is 80% of the library’s operating budget which makes the proposals extremely important. Before the end of 2020, Peter White Public Library expects to lose more $140,000 in annual revenue.
Don’t let the library services be impacted by a loss in funds! Vote November 6th in your community to support the library and help return the budget to a steady.
For additional information about the Headlee Override, visit the Peter White Public Library Website! The website even has a library millage calculator to see just how much the proposal will affect your taxes!
