Reader discusses the value of a library when times are tough

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Ina Golden

“I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people, because they give nothing for nothing. They only help those who help themselves." 

--- Andrew Carnegie

Everyone knows Michigan’s economy is in a slump and now registered voters of Holly Township are being asked to renew a millage to support the library.  Should we do this?  Can we afford to renew the millage at a cost of an average $65 per household?  I’d like to present a few facts and try to persuade you to pull the YES lever next Tuesday at the polls at Holly High School.

What is the value of our library?  When times are tough, it feels like a sacrifice when we “give up” what we’re accustomed to.  Where can we cut?  Movies, music CDs, a best seller book, the monthly magazines, the daily and weekly newspapers and the cost of the internet all come to mind.  But we don’t really have to “give up” these amenities.

Let’s just do a rough analysis:

Household cost - $135.46 per month vs $6.42 per month using the library -  a 95 percent savings!

But in addition to a 95 percent savings, what other services does our library provide?

• There is a full line of adult and children’s fiction, non-fiction, large print books, books on cassette & CD, & video cassette & DVD collections.
• Preschool story hour for 3-4-5 year olds starts in September; there are three sessions per week with 15 children enjoying story time, a movie, and a craft.
• The summer reading program enrolled 255 children last year and collectively they read and reported on 6,555 books
• There were 65 programs last year attended by 2,688 persons.
• The copy machine makes almost 1,000 copies / month
• Interlibrary loan:  Holly Twp. Library inter loaned over 1,000 books last year and loaned out as many to other libraries
• The fax machine was used by 355 people in May
• There are 12 public computers with print capability and Internet access
• Need help with your computer?  Just ask a librarian or make an appointment with the tech librarian
• Are you taking an on-line college course?  Holly Twp. Library proctors exams
• On Aug. 2, a home economist from Michigan State University Cooperative Extension will teach food preservation from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  The program is free; space is limited so call to reserve a spot.
• The “Friends of the Holly Twp. Library” are hosting the Kelly Miller Circus Aug. 14 with proceeds going to the “Friends” to help support our library and its programs.  You can purchase tickets at the library.

I’ve just scratched the surface of our library’s services – if you need more information, just ask a librarian or a member of the “Friends”.  So, is it a value?  Would you consider a 95 percent savings on amenities and the additional programs and services a good buy?  I would.

Now, some uncosted or “priceless” values of our library:

The library supports democracy.  “The public library is the only institution in American society whose purpose is to guard against the tyrannies of ignorance and conformity, and its existence indicates the extent to which democratic society values knowledge, truth, justice, books, and culture.”   --- Democracy and the Public Library, American Libraries, December 1995