Residents, volunteers and service providers urge Millville commissioners to increase public library funding

Summary

Dozens of residents and community leaders at a Millville City Commission meeting urged the commission to raise funding for the Millville Public Library, saying the library provides essential services — from job help and cooling-center access to children’s programming — despite being flat-funded for a decade.

Dozens of residents, former trustees and nonprofit advocates told the Millville City Commission that the Millville Public Library delivers broad social, educational and economic benefits and needs increased city funding.

Speakers at the Feb. 18 meeting described the library as a “third space” where people of all ages access computers, reference help, notary services and programs that support job readiness, family engagement and safety during outages. Multiple speakers said the library’s municipal allocation has not risen in 10 years even though demand and costs have increased.

The comments opened during the meeting’s public-comment period and drew speakers from longtime volunteers to business owners and former trustees. Cindy Cook of Cedarwood Village said the library has been a vital resource in emergency and social-service responses: “Over the years, you have been such a vital help to helping us with our…

Residents, volunteers and service providers urge Millville commissioners to increase public library funding

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading