*This news release was crafted and distributed by the City of Rockford.
The City of Rockford will ask residents to consider a millage proposal in November that, if approved, would provide critical funding for a long-requested expansion of Krause Memorial Library to better meet the growing community’s needs.
The Nov. 5 ballot question will ask voters for 1 mill or less in property taxes that will enable the City of Rockford to finance the library expansion project through a bond not to exceed $5.7 million. The City of Rockford has already secured $5 million in public and private funds toward the total project costs, estimated to be $11.7 million.
If approved, the average homeowner in Rockford would pay $115 annually – or $2.21 per week. The millage is expected to generate $335,000 in the first year.
“Krause is the busiest branch per square foot in the Kent District Library system and serves an important role in our community,” Rockford City Manager Thad Beard said. “However, the current library is not large enough to meet our growing community’s needs. Community members are waiting too long for materials, children are being left out of programming due to limited space, teens don’t have a place to go to after school and seniors can’t find a place to sit and read.
“For the past two decades, residents have asked when Krause Memorial Library will be expanded. That time is now. We are committed to making sure it remains a beloved source of pride for Rockford residents of all ages and a hub of the community.”
If approved, the expansion would more than double the current footprint, transforming the library into an accessible community gathering spot for all ages – from babies to teens to seniors. Highlights of the expansion project include overhauling the current building and adding a new wing to create:
· A main entrance hub where visitors will have plenty of room to gather and sit in a beautiful, naturally lit space.
· Spaces for private and collaborative use, including six study rooms of various sizes, a large quiet reading room, a designated reading area and an outdoor reading patio.
· A new children’s room with double the space of the current children’s room for both materials and literacy-based activities.
· A larger, flexible community room that can accommodate multiple programs at the same time.
· A courtyard off the children’s and community rooms for outdoor program opportunities.
· A teen area complete with a study room and space to socialize.
· Spaces for senior-focused activities and social engagement.
Through these additional spaces, KDL will be able to significantly expand its programming at the Krause Memorial Branch, which is popular among Rockford residents – with 50% of households with a library card. The new spaces will contribute to enhanced collaboration with all area schools to further the education of the community’s young people. The expansion also will meet the needs of more community groups seeking places to gather and help drive additional foot traffic to the area, boosting businesses and restaurants in downtown Rockford.
Additional elements of the project include adding a drive-up book return, more computer terminals, updating the library’s aging HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities, seniors and families with children.
The renovations and additions will enable the branch to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards, which have changed significantly since the library’s last expansion 35 years ago. The space will feature barrier-free and family restrooms with adult and baby changing stations as well as a mother’s room, wider doors and aisles, many more places for seniors to sit, browse or read and more accessible parking near the entrance.
Over the past three years, the City of Rockford, with support from Algoma, Cannon and Courtland townships, has secured $5 million in public and private funding for this library expansion. The City and its township partners have secured $2 million through an ongoing regional capital campaign, which includes a significant number of donations from library patrons who live outside city limits. They also have secured $2 million in grant funds from Kent County and $1 million from the State of Michigan.
Another $2.5 million in funding requests are pending and active fundraising in the community is continuing.
In order for the City to retain this $2 million from Kent County, the project must be completed by the end of 2026, which has amplified the need to finalize all other funding commitments sooner than anticipated.
“Unfortunately, we’re under a tight timeline to retain the grant funding from Kent County,” Beard said
“We are now asking residents to join in this investment and consider a library millage on the Nov. 5 ballot.”
Krause Memorial Branch serves the City of Rockford and neighboring communities, accounting for nearly 42,000 residents. That number is expected to grow to more than 78,000 by 2040. Krause Memorial Branch is owned and maintained by the City of Rockford, with services provided by Kent District Library.
KDL is funded by its own separate millage, with 90% of its operating costs paid for by millage dollars. KDL does not – and cannot – contribute monies to build new libraries or expand existing ones. An expansion of the Krause Memorial Library is the responsibility of the City of Rockford.
Built in 1937, the library has been expanded only twice – in 1963 and 1989. Since 1989, the library’s service area and visitor count have doubled.
For more information about the library expansion and millage proposal, visit the City’s website at rockford.mi.us. Follow the City of Rockford on Facebook at facebook.com/CityofRockfordMI.
