Alex McKay, Freedom Township Representative to MDL Board of Trustees

submitted by Quintessa Gallinat, Manchester District Library

The Manchester District Library Board of Trustees is an all-volunteer governing body made up of two members from each of the library’s participating service areas: Manchester Village, Manchester Township, Bridgewater Township, and Freedom Township. Trustees create and oversee library policies, administer the budget, and set the strategic plan.

Alex McKay grew up on his family’s farm in Freedom Township and attended Chelsea schools. He studied history and economics at Eastern Michigan University before getting a degree in Laboratory Technology. After spending some time out of state, he returned to the family farm in 2020, where he lives with his wife and two young sons. In addition to keeping the books for his family’s farm, he works in manufacturing quality assurance with emphasis in systems auditing. 

The newest member of the MDL Board of Trustees, McKay joined in 2022 and now serves as Treasurer because he is invested in making the library (which he and his family use often) both efficient and valuable to the community. He also felt that his background gives him the skills to help ensure that the portion of property taxes that support the library from large family farms like his are put to good use.

In addition to his service on the MDL Board, McKay is involved in the Washtenaw Farm Bureau and is a Republican Precinct Delegate in Freedom Township. Though he admits this doesn’t leave him much free time, he does enjoy reading and being out in the woods.

His favorite thing about MDL? “I know that online offerings are increasingly important — and I use them often — but I really love physical books. For me, nothing compares to serendipitously finding something on the shelf that I never would have sought out in an online search. Manchester is also very fortunate to have some great librarians who can be counted on to give recommendations and direct you to other resources.”

Members of the public are welcome to attend the monthly meetings, held in the Village Chambers of the Community Building on the second Thursday of each month. To learn more or to contact a member of the MDL Board of Trustees, visit manchesterlibrary.info/board-of-trustees.html.