One item likely to be at the top of the Orion Township Board’s agenda in the new year, is a ballot proposal to fund a major expansion of the township library.
Most township officials seem to agree the library on Joslyn Road is working beyond its capacity and needs to expand to service a growing number of users.
The most likely scenario would include a proposed 0.625 mill tax to be paid over a period of 20 years. If approved on the projected May ballot, the millage would raise about $18.9 million, including $600,000 for new materials.
Linda Sickles, library director for the past 26 years, realizes the state’s economic climate isn’t ideal, but she stresses that the need is immediate and costs to expand will be greater the longer the township waits.
‘We are faced with a burgeoning use of the library, which has strapped us to the gills,? says Sickles. ‘We need to be able to provide for our current usage and for the next generation of library users.
The proposed expansion would more than double the size of the existing facility, from just under 30,000 square feet to about 70,000 square feet.
With an estimated 20,000 people passing through the library’s doors each month, Sickles says the Orion facility is one of Michigan’s most heavily used libraries.
‘We were designed to circulate a maximum of 250,000 items annually,? she says. ‘This past year we circulated 430,000 items, and we expect that kind of growth to continue.?
She added that the library requires more computer space for young people and adults.
‘We’ve maxed out of our space for computers, and we often have people waiting,? Sickles says.
The library director points out that there is currently no tax being levied for the library. The last approved millage for the library was in 1986, and that has been paid off, she says.
A 6-mill proposal for expansion at the library was defeated at the polls in 2002.
Sickles says in addition to giving residents quick and easy access to thousands of books and other materials, the library offers many programs for children, book discussions for adults, tutoring, job searches and use of the library’s computers and data bases.
‘We provide a readily available resource base to the public at no charge,? says Sickles. ‘We have an educated population that wants their children to have the best possible programs and opportunities.?
While concerned about the slow economy’s affect on the upcoming ballot proposal, Sickles remains optimistic.
‘I’m hopeful that we’ll get the support of the community,? she ays. ‘We’re at a pivotal point. The need is not going away and the project will not be less costly later. Even if passed in May, it wouldn’t be completed until 2010. We need to get started.?
The Orion Township Library has a staff of 46 people, including 23 working on a full-time basis. The library also operates the small library at the senior center in the Village of Lake Orion.
For questions or more information, call the library at 693-3000.