Ishpeming Carnegie Library’s future uncertain
Ballot proposal to determine funding
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ISHPEMING -- City of Ishpeming City Manager Randy Scholz announced Thursday that there will be a library operating millage proposal on the November ballot that would provide funding for the continued operation, maintenance and capital needs of the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library.
The proposal language will read as follows: "For continuing to provide current Library services, shall the City of Ishpeming, Marquette County, Michigan, be authorized to levy up to an additional 2.1 mills ($2.10 per $1,000.00 taxable value) for Library operations and, concurrently, up to .4 mills ($.40 per $1,000 taxable value) for Library capital expenditures on all property assessed for taxes within the City of Ishpeming for a period of six (6) years (2026-2031, inclusive). The combined new 2.5 mills will raise approximately $399,527.39 in the first year."
According to Scholz, this would look like an estimated yearly cost of $90.52 for the average primary residence, of $7.54 per month.
"If the proposal is not approved, the library will see significant cuts to its operation," said Scholz. "The existing funding sources are not sufficient to maintain current service levels. As a result, the city and library board would likely need to consider measures such as:
"Reductions in hours or elimination of staff, reduced public service hours, or closure, reductions in and elimination of programs and other library services, deferral of building maintenance and capital improvements, limited ability to address future facility needs and preserve the library building."
If the proposal passes, "the library's current level of operations is expected to continue," said Scholz. "The funding would provide greater long-term financial stability by supporting:
"Current staffing levels, existing library hours and public services, collections, technology and programming, routine maintenance and preservation of the historic library building and the ability to plan for future capital improvements and ongoing facility needs."
Scholz said that the reason for the requested funding is that the city funds nearly 85% of the library's annual budget, with the remained comprised of contract fees and the city's general fund revenues are insufficient to fund services provided to residents at current levels.
This could be because library patronage in Ishpeming has increased substantially in recent years. About 34% of library cardholders signed up for a card in the last three years.
Ishpeming has operated a public library for 150 years and the current Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library has been in operation since 1904. That building was opened with funding from philanthropist/industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The library was also involved in the film adaptation of John Voelker's novel "Anatomy of a Murder."
This is the first time that the city of Ishpeming has had a ballot proposal for dedicated funding for library services.
"Approval of the proposal would provide a dedicated funding source to help sustain library operations and maintain the facility for years to come," said Scholz.
According to Scholz's statement, over the past three years, 97,247 people visited the library, 980 programs were offered for all ages, with 25,410 people in attendance and 165,536 physical itels were checked out, 58% of which were children's items, plus 50,407 digital items.
The library also offers a summer reading program, access to new releases, inter-library loan, a meeting room, public computer and wireless internet use, exam proctoring, technology help, puzzle swap, seed library, monthly digital reading challenges and more.
Election day is Nov. 3.
More information is available by contacting Randy Scholz at 906-485-1091 extension 203, or at citymanager@ishpemingcity.org.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.