The Capital Area District Library’s (CADL) board of trustees approved a plan to place a renewal of the library’s operating millage on the August 2010 ballot. This millage is not a new tax nor a tax increase, but a renewal of CADL’s 4-year 1.56 mill millage, which expired on December 31, 2009.

CADL provides the materials, staffing and support services to operate 13 libraries and a bookmobile in Ingham County. Nearly 90 percent of our operation and maintenance are funded by citizens’ tax dollars through millages.  Due to falling property values, tax revenues have already significantly decreased. In practical terms, that means a renewal is actually a decrease. Rather than ask for additional funds, CADL will continue to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars by maximizing the use of every penny. Administration has already significantly reduced the 2009 and 2010 budgets without resorting to drastic reduction of services. We have also worked to find additional sources of funding.

For an Ingham County resident who owns a home with an assessed/taxable value of $50,000 (market value of $100,000), the cost of the 1.56 mills will be approximately $78 a year. These funds will not be used for any building, remodeling or expansion of library facilities. Local municipalities provide the facilities which house our libraries.

The funds will enable CADL to remain open, and to continue providing a wide variety of materials; valuable support services, and a professional, caring staff.  Examples of our programs and services include job seeker tools, small business resources, literacy support for all ages, a variety of storytimes, special teen collections, computer classes, downloadable books, resources for English speakers of other languages, an extensive local history collection, educational and entertainment DVDs, and much more.

Such goods and services are more critical than ever before. In every state, people are turning to their local public library to help them weather the effects of today’s economy. Residents of Ingham County have followed this nation-wide trend, turning to our libraries in record numbers. In 2009, CADL circulated over 2.7 million items. Over 1.5 million people passed through our doors, and 1.3 million visited our website. Special library events drew 51,000 attendees. That same year, our wireless usage increased 256 percent as we provided over 284,000 hours of Internet access.

The value that a thriving library system adds to communities is both essential and wide-ranging. Libraries are the one place where knowledge and opportunity are available to all, regardless of means. Library value can also be measured on an individual level, in terms of dollars and cents saved on costs such as buying books and magazines, attending movies and lectures, and using Internet service.

In Ingham County in 2007, patrons saved an average of $650 each by using library goods and services instead of purchasing them. CADL’s website currently features a value calculator which allows residents to determine their own personal savings.

Despite the increased demand on our materials and services, coupled with decreased revenues, CADL remains committed to the goal of doing more with less. Should the millage renewal not pass, all 13 CADL libraries and the bookmobile would close as of January 3, 2011. They would remain closed until operational funding is approved.

For more information about CADL and this proposal, please visit www.cadl.org/millage.

Capital Area District Libraries are located in the communities of Aurelius, Dansville, Haslett, Holt-Delhi, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Webberville and Williamston. The bookmobile visits over 30 additional locations. All CADL locations share resources and provide residents of each community with access to all of our materials and services.

		Lance M. Werner is the director for the Capital Area District Library system. An accomplished library law specialist, he has extensive experience with both the Library of Michigan and MSU’s College of Law Library. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .