Opinion: Keep Freedom in the Library!
(Editor's Note: While the Mirror takes no position on political issues facing the community, we will occasionally provide space for informed commentary from community members.)
Freedom Township Hall
On August 5, voters in Freedom Township will vote on a measure to withdraw from the library district. Only people who are already registered to vote AND registered to vote in Freedom Township can vote in the August election. A "yes" vote would mean that Freedom Township quits the library district. A "NO" vote means that Freedom Township will remain in the library district and continue to receive the benefits of that membership. Vote NO, Freedom!
The library has 20,000 visits a year and checks out more the 70,000 items annually. We are one of the few places in the area with public computers and high-speed Internet access. Our collection includes 43,217 books and 2,766 DVDs. We even have more than 10,000 downloadable books. Cardholders in the Manchester region currently enjoy free use of the Chelsea and Clinton libraries through reciprocal borrowing agreements. Freedom residents would vote away all these privileges with a vote to withdraw. Vote NO, Freedom!
The Manchester District Library gets more than 95% of its funding from property taxes. These taxes are collected from the Village of Manchester and the townships of Freedom, Manchester, and Bridgewater. For all it offers, membership in the library district costs Freedom residents relatively little -- the same 1.05 mills assessed from property taxes districtwide. This means that for every $1000 assessed in taxes, about a dollar of it goes to the library. Whereas national studies suggest a four-fold property value return on investment. Vote NO, Freedom!
To the library, the loss of support by Freedom Township would be a tremendous financial blow, cutting 26% from the library budget. We would need to lay off staff and reduce business hours, cut back the buying of DVDs and books, and perhaps even withdraw from our interlibrary loan system that gives us access to 4 million books and movies owned by partnering libraries. These cuts would hurt residents in every township equally. That's less time to get and return books, fewer story times, fewer programs, less computer access, and one fewer safe place for kids to go after school. To the residents of Freedom Township, quitting the library would mean immediate cuts in service. Freedom Township patrons would have to pay $125 per library card (or more--a 26% reduction in revenue would lively have to be partially recouped by increasing the non-resident card fees) just to check out books and DVDs. Vote NO, Freedom!
If Freedom votes to withdraw, the all three Townships will lose out on the value and community participating in the library district provides. We don't want that, and we don't think Freedom Township wants it either. Vote NO, Freedom!
In response to both this referendum in Freedom and the upcoming November vote to reauthorize the millage district-wide, library supporters have formed a political committee. Called Manchester LIBRARYes!, we are working to raise awareness of the upcoming votes affecting our access to information, education, and community. Vote NO, Freedom!
If you want to help keep Freedom in the Library, this is all you have to do: if you are a Freedom Township voter, vote "NO" on August 5. And please be sure to tell other Freedom voters about the importance of turning out the vote in this election. This vote is likely to be decided on a very, very small margin of votes. Each vote is extremely important. If you are not registered to vote in Freedom Township, you can still help by recruiting and reminding Freedom voters. Call/text/email/invite out for lunch anyone you know who votes in Freedom Township. Make them a library supporter too. And if you're a true library lover, come! Join the committee and help us get out the vote. Vote NO, Freedom!
Keep the library in Freedom, keep Freedom in the library. Vote NO, Freedom!
James Miller is the director of and a cardholder at the Manchester District Library. He contributes this piece in his capacity as a resident of the Village, father, and library supporter. Contact him at jpjmiller@yahoo.com to find out how you can help keep Freedom in the Library. Or follow the Manchester LIBRARYes! campaign HERE. You can donate to Manchester LIBRARYes! HERE.
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