Printable fact sheet

Why is the millage needed?

The Lapeer District Library is currently operating on funds from the county-wide library millage which expired on December 31, 2006.  Unless voters approve an operational millage to replace the expired millage, the Lapeer District Library will close.

What is an operational millage?

The .9 mills that the library is requesting can be used only for library operations.  The library gets 80% of its budget from voted millage, and without these funds, the library is not able to operate.

What will happen if the millage is not approved?

• Residents in Arcadia Township, Burlington Township, Burnside Township, Deerfield Township, Elba Township, Goodland Township, Hadley Township, Lapeer Township, the City of Lapeer, Marathon Township, Mayfield Township, Metamora Township, Oregon Township, Rich Township will not have a public library in their community. 
   

• Your Lapeer District Library card will become void.
   

• You may not be able to use the services of other Michigan public libraries unless they pay an annual non-resident fee.  Some libraries do not offer non-residents any option for checking out materials. 
   

• Additionally, support for the North Branch Township Library would be lost, as the Lapeer District Library has a contractual arrangement in which operational millage funds collected in Arcadia, Deerfield & Rich Townships are sent to the North Branch Township Library.
   

• The Lapeer District Library will close in 2008 if we don’t pass an operational millage.  If the millage fails, money in the library’s fund balance will be needed for expenses involved with fulfilling contractual obligations and permanently closing the library.

What will approval of the operational millage mean for library users?

If the operational millage is approved, the Lapeer District Library will remain open as a vital resource to serve children, teens and adults from our branch locations throughout Lapeer County. Hours and services will be restored at the Marguerite deAngeli Branch Library in Lapeer, and the closed branches will be re-opened. The Library will be able to recall laid off staff members and will reinstate the free computer classes.

If the operational millage is approved, the Lapeer District Library will restore the materials budgets, which will allow the library to continue to upgrade and expand our collections, including new books, magazines, DVDs, and books on tape and CD.