Frequently Asked Questions
There are still some areas where our library falls short and doesn’t quite meet the needs of our community.
Post-pandemic, there is a greater need for digital services. The millage will allow the library to update available technology and update its free public Wi-Fi. The millage will also allow the library to increase digital offerings by adding language learning software like Mango Languages, and digital newspaper subscription services. Currently, the library offers a limited collection of five print newspapers.
Residents have also expressed that they wish to see a change in the library’s hours ideally having the library open earlier to serve visiting seniors, open later to serve working families, and provide consistent hours that are easier to remember. If passed, the millage will allow the library to add 19 additional hours of operation per week and open from 9 a.m.to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The library is experiencing growing demand for services. Childhood literacy is a particular area of growing demand at the library. The Read by Grade Three law requires that third-grade students meet reading requirements or repeat the third grade. The library would like to increase our efforts toward childhood literacy and create more literacy activities for children.
Senior services is another area experiencing growing demand. As baby boomers are retiring, the senior population is expanding. The library needs to be able to meet that growing demand for senior services. The millage will allow the library to add more programs for seniors so this age group has the resources to stay active, stay informed, and stay safe.
The small, open floor plan of the library is inadequate for people to study, meet with tutors, apply for jobs, attend classes or attend virtual events. The library needs to be a space that is conducive to learning. The millage will allow for the library to have small study pods.
The two study pods, made out of repurposed shipping containers, will be completely finished with insulation, electrical outlets, and furniture. Installation of the pods will cost around $100,000, and provide a quiet space for multiple users at a time.
Technology upgrades
- Faster Internet
- New children’s computers
- Update wi-fi for better range
- Mango Languages - digital language learning services
- Digital newspaper subscription services
- Increase eBook, eAudiobook purchases to decrease wait times and enhance the digital collection
- Equipment upgrades
Consistent Business Hours
The library will be open from 9 am-8 pm Monday-Friday, and 9 am-5 pm on Saturday. This is an additional 19 hours of operation. The library will be open earlier for visiting seniors, open later for working families, and have more consistent hours that are easier to remember for everyone.
Library Programs
Childhood literacy is more important than ever with the Read by Grade law in full effect which requires that children read at an appropriate level or be held back. The senior population is increasing as baby boomers retire. The library will be able to meet the demand with more programs for childhood literacy and senior services.
Quiet Study Pods for Learning
The library needs quiet study space for our visiting students, tutors, and remote workers. Our low-budget solution is to use repurposed shipping containers to create quiet study pods for multiple users at a time. The study pods provide a cost-effective and adaptable solution since the future of our library is still uncertain.
Our library does not currently meet the needs in our community. Post-pandemic, there is a greater need than ever for digital resources. The library needs to keep up and provide the needed resources when they are needed so our students, seniors, parents, and all our community residents have the tools to thrive.
- 1 in 5 Harrison Township resident have limited tools to access the Internet because they do not have a computer or only have a cell phone at home.
- 1 in 4 Harrison Township residents have limited Internet access because they do not subscribe to the Internet or only have a cell phone data plan to access the Internet.
*American Community Survey, 2019
This proposal, if approved by the electors, will allow the Harrison Township library to update technology, increase the hours of operation, address personnel shortages to support childhood literacy and senior programs, and provide study pods for a quiet learning environment.
Home Value | Assessed Value* | SEV* | Annual Cost | Monthly Cost | Daily Cost |
$ 150,000 | $ 75,000 | $ 58,500 | $ 47 | $ 4.00 | $ 0.13 |
$ 200,000 | $ 100,000 | $ 78,000 | $ 62 | $ 5.00 | $ 0.17 |
$ 240,000 | $ 120,000 | $ 93,600 | $ 75 | $ 6.00 | $ 0.21 |
$ 300,000 | $ 150,000 | $ 117,000 | $ 94 | $ 8.00 | $ 0.26 |
*Estimated
[CP_CALCULATED_FIELDS id="6"]
LIBRARY MILLAGE PROPOSAL
This proposal, if approved by the electors, will allow the Harrison Township library to update technology, increase the hours of operation, address personnel shortages to support childhood literacy and senior programs, and provide study pods, among other things. If approved, this would cost the average property owner an additional $30 annually.
Shall the tax limitation on all taxable property within the Charter Township of Harrison, Macomb County, Michigan, be increased and the Township be authorized to levy annually a new additional millage in an amount not to exceed .8 mills ($.80 on each $1,000 of taxable value) for ten (10) years, 2022-2031, which will replace the originally authorized millage of .5 mills that will expire in December of 2023, inclusive, for the purpose of, among other things, providing funds for operating, maintaining, equipping and funding the Harrison Township Public Library and for all other library purposes authorized by law? The estimate of the revenue the Township will collect in the first year of levy (2022) if the millage is approved and levied by the Township is approximately $869,745. By law, revenue from this millage will be disbursed to Harrison Township Public Library.