What is the ballot question that will be before voters?

On Nov. 7, 2023, residents within the Kent District Library Services area will be asked to consider a 15-year millage at a reduced rate to support the operations of Kent District Library. The millage is the primary source of operating revenue for KDL, which serves residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,600-plus annual programs and a variety of patron-focused services, from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hot spots to early literacy initiatives and an extensive collection of talking books and Braille resources.

What is the actual ballot language to be voted on?

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL 

Shall the Kent District Library, Kent County, Michigan, be authorized to levy a renewal of the previously voted increase in the tax limitation which expires in 2024, in an amount not to exceed 1.1 mills ($1.10 per $1,000 of taxable value) (which is a lower rate than the previously voted millage of 1.28 mills that was approved by voters in 2014 and expires in 2024) annually against all taxable property within the Kent District Library district for a period of fifteen (15) years, 2025 through 2039, inclusive, to operate the Kent District Library and provide funds for district library purposes authorized by law? This millage is estimated to provide revenues of $26,607,000 in the first year (2025) of the levy. To the extent required by law, a portion of the revenues from this millage (estimated to be approximately 1.1% in the first year of the levy) will be captured by or disbursed to the following local authorities: the Kent County Land Bank Authority and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities of the Cities of Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, and Wyoming.

Yes ____
No ____

What happens if voters reject the millage?

KDL will be forced to close its doors since the bulk of our funding – approximately 90% – comes from millage dollars. While we do receive some money from state fines and aid, private donations and investments, it would be nowhere near enough to keep our doors open.

Why are you reducing the millage rate?

KDL is fortunate to be part of a thriving and growing community where new taxable real estate has produced more revenue. This enables us to take the step of reducing the millage, which is a tax reduction for property owners.

When does the current millage expire? When does the new millage go into effect?

The current millage is set to expire Dec. 31, 2024. If approved by voters, the new millage will start Jan. 1, 2025.

What is the amount being asked?

Voters will be asked to consider a new rate of 1.1 mills, which is more than 10.9% lower than KDL’s current millage rate of 1.2355 mills. If approved, taxpayers will see immediate savings as the KDL Board has committed to lowering the millage rate effective Jan. 1, 2024.

How much will this cost me?

If approved by voters at the rate of 1.1 mills, homeowners will pay $1.10 for each $1,000 of state equalized value (SEV) of their home. The SEV is half of the estimated market value of a home.

The average homeowner in the KDL service area will pay $145.75 annually for access to library services – or $2.80 per week, less than the cost of most cups of coffee.

How much of a savings is this?

If approved, the lower millage will save taxpayers $3.1 million annually or $46.5 million over the life of the millage.

Will you have to reduce services if you lower the millage?

No. The reduced millage will allow KDL to continue offering its current slate of programs and services – and to add new materials, programs, events and services at our historic rates.

How much money will this generate?

If approved, the millage will generate $26.6 million in its first year to cover the expense of materials (physical and digital) available for checkout, staff (wages and benefits), programs and events, library services (such as tech tutoring), technology (public computers, printers, self-check kiosks, etc.) and rent to the municipalities that own and maintain library buildings.

How much of KDL’s operating expenses are funded by the millage?

Approximately 90% of the total operating expense is funded by the millage. An additional 10% comes from state fines and aid, private donations and investment.

Who does KDL serve?

KDL provides access to information, programs and services for more than 440,000 residents in our service area, which includes all of Kent County except for Grand Rapids, Solon Township, Sparta Township and Cedar Springs. KDL has nearly 140,000 patrons who actively use the library, adding 20,395 new card holders last year.

How does access to KDL work?

KDL serves 27 municipalities through a network of 20 branches. Residents in those municipalities pay a portion of their property taxes to support KDL, which makes them eligible for a library card that gives them access to our physical and digital collections. Each KDL branch functions as a community library that serves the unique needs of its community while simultaneously enjoying the economies of scale that come from being part of a larger district library, which has greater buying power. 

How large is KDL’s collection?

KDL’s collection is extensive, with more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. These include books, e-books, apps, magazines, movies, television programs, audio books, video courses, video games, music, online databases, research materials and at-home learning materials, as well as access to statewide materials and collections. In 2022, total circulation rose 6% to more than 7.1 million while computer and Wi-Fi usage grew 26%. KDL is in the top 60 libraries worldwide for circulation of OverDrive items.

What kind of programming does KDL offer?

Known for its family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 5,600 programs and outreach events each year, from its popular baby/toddler/preschool storytimes, learning labs and craft classes to book clubs, concerts and special activity and interest groups. Summer is the busiest season for KDL programs, which help to offset the “summer slide” – the learning loss students experience when they are not in school. Programs are selected, created and delivered at the branch level, allowing branch staff to tailor offerings to the needs and interests of their individual communities.

What other services do you offer?

KDL strives to be innovative, evolving with the changing needs of our community and demonstrating out-of-the-box thinking. We engage with our patrons to develop offerings that are responsive to community needs, including:

• • The Talking Book & Braille Center, which provides resources and services for people who are blind and physically disabled.
  • Resources to support early childhood literacy for parents, teachers and schools, ensuring students are proficient and confident readers by the time they reach third grade.
  • A bookmobile, which brings library services to patrons in remote or underserved communities through a wide range of services, from mobile book checkout and return, story times and book talks to large-print collections, translation technology and community resource referrals.
  • Wi-Fi and public computer access, bridging the digital divide. KDL increased the number of Wi-Fi hotspots and the length of checkout because one in 10 households in Kent County have no broadband access. Wi-Fi hotspots continue to be the most frequently checked out item.

Who makes decisions at the library?

KDL is led by a six-member leadership team who manage its day-to-day operations. They are overseen by an eight-member Board of Trustees, who serve four-year terms representing eight geographic regions of the library’s service area. Board members are appointed by the Kent County Board of Commissioners.

Who selects materials on KDL shelves?

The selection of materials on the shelves of each branch is driven by what people have requested and check out at each branch. If a book is not checked out over an extended period of time, it's removed to make room for other books.

How about programs – how are they selected?

Local branch staff choose program events that appeal to the local community. Book discussion group participants choose the books that they read and discuss.

Why do some local municipalities have a library millage in addition to the KDL operating millage?

The branch library buildings are owned and maintained by the municipalities they serve. Some municipalities identify the cost of sustaining the building in their tax statements and financial reports while others may simply include it in their general fund, along with all other municipal buildings. From time to time, municipalities may need to raise funding through an additional local millage for capital improvements such as a new roof, HVAC system, remodeling, construction, etc.

How many employees do you have? Volunteers?

KDL employs 346 people and receives more than 4,000 hours annually from more than 500 volunteers.