ader Staff Writer
‘If at first you don’t succeed, try try again,? that was the message Addison Township Library Director Jaema Berman got after the last millage attempt failed by 68 votes back in August.
The Library is giving it a do-over on the November 4 ballot.
?(After the last vote failed) I think it certainly made me realize that we had to get our message out to the community,? said Berman. ‘We became fired up to really let people know that we are working hard to provide a lot of services.?
Originally the library had asked voters to approve an additional .25 mills, but they’re now asking for a lower amount of .20 mills for 10 years. ‘We wanted that closer to what our originally millage was back in 1984, which was 0.75 (mill),? explained Berman.
Because of Headlee rollbacks, the library’s original 1984 indefinite millage of 0.75 mills has been reduced to 0.57 mills, so the 0.20 would bring the total to 0.77 mills for the course of next 10 years. The new millage rate would generate approximately $57,000 in the first year.
Berman noted that the loss in mills is a combination of not only the Headlee rollbacks, but also the economic slump in housing values over that have taken place over the past five years. ‘We’ve lost about $40,000 since 2009,? she said.
While many people have asked if the additional millage will be used to build a new library, Berman said no.
‘Our goal for the next few years is to maintain: maintain our excellent staff, convenient hours, best selling print and electronic collections, enriching lectures and cutting edge computer access,? she said. ‘Since moving to our new location on Rochester Road three years ago, the public traffic tripled due to our increase in internet computers for adults, teens and children.?
Part of their programming also includes a Summer Reading Program to help students maintain reading skills during vacation time.
‘We try to appeal to all variety of needs and interests here at the library,? Berman said. ‘We really want to just maintain our excellence on all levels and we really want to certainly function in the black.?
Because many households in Addison don’t have internet, the library is a lifeline for them to have that service, noted Berman.
‘People come here for the WiFi, they come here to apply for jobs and senior citizens come to apply for social services. There are a lot of people who need help, posting resumes and attachments in e-mails so they can apply for jobs,? she said. ‘I think we provide a lot of services for people in transition between jobs and residences. I believe the library really helps the economy in Addison Township (and) we’re a part of that economic recovery.?
Berman further explained the library is ‘very budget minded? in terms of their programming and what they pay through co-op.
‘We really try to run a very tight ship here at the library,? she added. ‘In fact we do some of our own fund-raising too.?
Berman said they’ve raised almost $1,000 through vintage e-book sales on e-Bay. They also get donations through recycling their used book to Better World Books and through Amazon Smile, according to Smile.Amazon.com, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases.
As a part of being budget minded, Berman said they will be a developing a ‘long-term plan? for the library that will take into consideration what members of the community would like their library to look like in the future.
‘In seven years our lease will run out,? she noted. ‘Our landlord would like us to continue leasing to us, but at the rate of $7,000 a month.?
They currently only pay $1,000 a month, which Berman feels is currently a reasonable rate. ‘We would like to see that money go into a building that the community owns rather than as lease funding,? she said. ‘We have that seven years to really research a plan and we’re looking for community input.?
As for the additional millage request, Berman reiterated their want to be responsible with the funding they receive.
‘We hope people will support the millage and we will be able to fulfill the needs of the community in a responsible manner financially,? she said.