Library millage will keep doors open

Staff report On the August 5 primary ballot, Detroit voters will decide the fate of the Detroit Public Library’s current operating millage of 4 mills. That amount provides 86 percent of the DPL’s operating budget. DPL has a proposal on the August ballot to renew its current 4 mill operating millage for a period of 10 years.  If it is not approved, the current millage would expire next June 30, 2015 and the Library would lose most of its operating budget. The proposal does not increase anyone’s taxes, but simply extends the current levy,” said Jo Anne G. Mondowney, executive director of the Library. “Without the millage, we would have to close our doors and all of those citizens would go unserved. We want voters to be fully informed about what is at stake for all Detroiters,” she said. “The Detroit Public Library provides unique and irreplaceable access to the digital world.  If that access were taken away, it would be devastating for many people who rely on us.” More than 300,000 Detroiters have library cards. In addition, thousands visit the Main Library, 21 branches and bookmobile every year. In 2013, more than 700,000 visitors accessed the Internet using one of the Library’s 700 computers, and many thousands more used the free Wi-Fi service that is available at all library locations. In addition last year, Detroiters checked out nearly 1.8 million books, manuscripts, DVDs, audio books and magazines. The DPL is the largest public library system in Michigan and is one of Detroit’s most valuable and accessible public institutions. Rally to support the Library, August 2nd, 2014