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Ferndale library outlines services, asks voters to decide two millages on Aug. 4
Summary
Officials from the Ferndale Area District Library updated the City Council on rising use and summer programs and described two millage questions that will appear on the Aug. 4 primary ballot: a renewal/operational request (2.81 mils plus 0.5 mil) and a 0.5-mil capital millage for building maintenance.
Officials from the Ferndale Area District Library told the City Council about increased usage, summer programs and two millage questions headed to the Aug. 4 primary ballot.
Jeff Milo, the library’s marketing lead, said summer reading signup climbed from an initial 370 people at the June 6 kickoff to 655 online signups by mid‑June and that May alone saw 15,300 checkouts, 475 new library cards and about 10,000 visits to the building. “Your library is open seven days a week,” Milo said, noting free Wi‑Fi, computers, printing and downloadable audiobooks for cardholders.
Drew McCollum, the library director, reminded the council that the district library spun off from the city in 2004 and became an independent district in 2014. He explained the two ballot questions voters will see on Aug. 4: a renewal and slight increase to the operational millage (renew the current 2.81 mils and add 0.5 mil for operations, staffing and programming) and a separate 0.5‑mil capital millage to fund building maintenance and infrastructure work, including HVAC and network upgrades. “These statistics tell a story,” McCollum said, adding the measures fund services used by children, students, job seekers and neighbors who rely on library programs.
Volunteers and supporters in the audience urged council members to encourage turnout. Savannah, a local resident and volunteer, told the council she and other volunteers have gone door to door advocating for passage and asked elected officials to vote in favor.
McCollum directed residents to the library’s website and state voting resources for full ballot language and absentee‑ballot information. The library staff offered to answer questions by phone, email or in person at the library.
If approved by voters, the operational millage increase would expand ongoing funding for services and hours; the capital millage would fund repairs and infrastructure needed for the library’s building, which the director said the district purchased from the city and will fully own once a 2017 bond is paid off in 2027.
