August 2, 2022 -- Library Millage Passes!

The Library Board and Staff want to extend a big THANK YOU to the community for its continued support in passing the Library Millage!!
Information Flyer2021 Statistics
parking lot entrance
  • On August 2, 2022, the Grand Ledge community will vote on the funding for the next 10 years for the Grand Ledge Area District Library.
  • The 1.20 mills ballot request is what the community approved 20 years ago and has been reduced over the years and represents nearly 90% of the Library’s annual budget.
  • The average homeowner’s annual tax bill for the Library will be $88.32 (roughly about $60 for every $100,000 for Market value of your property.
  • With this new rate the average homeowner will see in their tax bill an increase of $4.31 annually.
  • The Library is open 7 days a week, 4 nights — year round.  Patrons can browse in person, pick up items curbside, use outdoor lockers, or utilize one of the many online resources provided by the Library for ebooks or streaming content.  Browsing and online content available 24/7.
  • Meeting space, Wi-Fi, computers, and printers are available on-site and hotspots, tablets, and laptops are available for checkout – making the library accessible for everyone any time.
  • Events and programs like Storytime, Minecraft Mania, LEAP into Science, Lego Challenge, Brown Bag Books, Acrylic Painting, and Summer Reading are some of the many ways that the Library strives to meet the educational and recreational needs of our community.
Picnic Storytime
What is the Library asking for?

You will be asked to vote on a renewal of the Library’s current 1.1414 mills and an increase of 0.0586 mills, for a total millage rate of 1.20 mills for 10 years.  That means you will pay $1.20 for every $1,000 of the taxable (assessed) value of your property to support Grand Ledge Area District Library operations.

Our original 1.20 millage rate was approved in 2001 and renewed in 2010 and has been reduced by the Headlee amendment to the present amount of 1.1414.  Our current millage support expired on December 31, 2021.  If approved, you will see this new 1.20 millage rate starting on your 2022 winter taxes.

How much will this cost property owners?

If the Library millage is approved, the 1.20 millage will appear on the 2022 winter tax bills and for a home with a $100,000 Market Value the annual taxes would be $60/year.  The average homeowner’s annual tax bill for the Library will be $88.32. 

Market Value Taxable Value Cost/Year Cost/Month Cost/Day
$100,000 $50,000 $60.00 $5.00 $0.16
$200,000 $100,000 $120.00 $10.00 $0.33
$300,000 $150,000 $180.00 $15.00 $0.49
*$147,200 $73,600 $88.32 $7.36 $0.24

*Median value of owner occupied housing in Grand Ledge, 2016-2020, U.S. Census QuickFacts

How much money does your millage support provide?

Millage revenue made up nearly 90% of the Library’s 2021-2022 operating budget.  District-wide, the 1.20 millage is estimated to provide $770,482.  This includes the 0.0586 mil increase to restore the library’s funding to the amount original 1.20 mils approved by voters in 2001.  This additional amount adds up to an estimated $37,000 in tax revenue.  For the individual homeowner this is approximately an additional $3 for every $100,000 in market value of your property being added to your current tax bill to support the library.  This increase in funding is critical as other sources for funding for the library such as Penal Fines have severely decreased over the last 10 years.

How are public libraries in Michigan funded?

Public libraries in Michigan are primarily funded through local property tax millage.  In 2021-22, it made up 89% of Grand Ledge Area District Library’s funding.  Penal fines account for approximately 5% and State Aid provided another 2% of the 2021-2022 budget.  Remaining 4% of funding came from donations, grants, fines and fees, and other miscellaneous sources.

 

Who may vote on the library millage renewal election?

All registered voters of the City of Grand Ledge, Oneida Township, and those voters in Watertown, Riley and Westphalia townships that live in the Grand Ledge Public School District.

  • Don’t know where your polling location is? Looking for a sample ballot? Michigan.gov/Vote can help!
  • Don’t know which precinct you are in within the City of Grand Ledge or for more information about voting and how to get your absentee ballot – Visit the City’s Election website. 
What is the wording on the ballot on August 2, 2022?

Shall the previously voted millage for the Grand Ledge Area District Library of 1.200 mills, as reduced to 1.1414 mills by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.1414 mills and increased by .0586 mills for a total levy of 1.200 mills ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) and be levied for ten (10) years, 2022 through 2031, inclusive, for general library operating purposes, raising an estimated $770,482.00 in 2022?

How long has Grand Ledge had a library?

At the October 2, 1911 meeting of the Ladies Library Association their first officers were elected. In December, with 60 books from the Tabard Inn Association as a nucleus and augmented by a book party, their library was opened to the public, on Saturday afternoons only, using a room on the second floor of the Alexander block. The project grew in popularity, importance and usefulness and in 1912 the Grand Ledge City Council offered to furnish a room, light and heat if the library moved to the Water Works Building where the present Masonic Temple stands today.

Twenty years after the inception of the project, in 1931, it was found that library funds sufficient for the erection of a building were available. The library building was formally dedicated on Saturday, November 7, 1931. The evolution from the Grand Ledge Public Library to the Grand Ledge Area District Library began informally in 1998 with the goals to provide more technology-based services, additional programming, and expanded collections to best serve the needs of the greater Grand Ledge community. The Grand Ledge Area District Library was formed in 2000 — The Ladies Library Association would be proud that its “vision” continues to be carried out 89 years after the Library was founded.

Want to read more about the Library’s History?

How much does the library get used?

The Grand Ledge Area District Library is a busy place!  In 2021, we saw 47,688 visitors, circulated more than 143,118 physical and digital items, and welcomed 8,353 patrons of all ages at 198 educational, recreational, or informational programs offered by GLADL.  We provide public computer access, copying, printing, scanning, faxing, and free wireless internet.  Utilizing CARES and ARPA programs the Library has been able to add hotspots, tablets, Chromebook, and laptop computers with hotspots as some of the items patrons can check out to make accessing resources even easier.  With funding from the Friends of the GLADL and many wonderful local businesses and sponsors, we offer a booming Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults, which serves hundreds of area residents each year.  Thanks to the great resources from the Library of Michigan we provide books and digital content to every student and teacher in the Grand Ledge Public School District.

GLADL provides a wide variety of online content from ebooks and audiobooks to streaming videos for early literacy or independent films for adults.  Explore the world by learning a foreign language or just by learning how to cook a new favorite meal from the resources the Library provides 24/7Career development is available through online tutors, study guides and resume writing assistance, job coaching, software training, and soft skills development.  Throughout the pandemic GLADL staff have been there for patrons with curbside assistance, outdoor locker pickup or in person browsing.  This has resulted in an 80% increase in our hold pickup feature being utilized by library patrons.

Each year, the needs of our community changes and the Grand Ledge Area District Library seeks out new and innovative ways to help meet those needs.  If you have suggestions on how we can better serve the needs of our community, please contact Library Director, Lise Mitchell at (517) 622-3550 or email at questions@gladl.org.  We are always looking for volunteers, advocates, and Friends to help make GLADL the best Library it can be – funded by our community, for our community.

GLADL ACHIEVEMENTS -- In the last 10 years...

Over 500,000 visits to the Library in person

Over 1 million items were checked out

Over 94,000 people attended over 2200 GLADL events

Over 240,000 public computer and wireless sessions

Library Value Calculator

Events to Engage Readers of All Ages

Tech to Connect to your World

Resources When & Where you Need them