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Holly library board outlines study on forming a district library to expand services
Summary
Joe Mishler told the council the Holly Township Library board is exploring formation of a district library with the village, Holly Township, Rose and Groveland townships; the step would require municipal resolutions, a planning committee, a state review of funding and likely a millage vote if taxes are needed.
Joe Mishler, speaking for the library board, told the council the board is exploring whether to convert the current township library into a district library serving the Village of Holly, Holly Township and neighboring Groveland and Rose townships.
Mishler said the library now serves about 10,000 cardholders, runs dozens of programs for children, teens and adults, and has expanded outreach to nearby townships. He described the procedural steps for forming a district library: library-board formal action, municipal resolutions from participating jurisdictions, creation of a district library planning committee to draft a district agreement, and state librarian review. Mishler said the state review focuses chiefly on the funding plan for the district and that a millage would be placed on the ballot if new tax revenue is necessary.
The board has not taken formal action; Mishler said the library has held public town-hall meetings and plans further outreach in Rose and Groveland townships to gather public input. He said town-hall dates would be posted on the library board website and provided an email contact for follow-up questions.
Council members asked about representation on the district board, potential millage mechanics and steps if one or more of the townships declined to participate. Mishler described a contingency plan in which nonparticipating townships could remain contract partners but would pay a higher per-person rate; he emphasized the importance of negotiating the district agreement to define representation, funding shares, and which assets the district would assume.
Because the library board has not yet taken formal action, no council votes were requested. The council asked staff to post town-hall dates and to share the library's contact details with residents.
