ADRIAN — A millage renewal for the Adrian District Library will go before voters in the city of Adrian on May 7.

The measure is not a new tax, but a renewal of the library’s existing 2.5-mill levy, which was enacted by voters in 2015. 

The millage has been rolled back slightly over the last nine years as a result of Michigan’s Headlee Amendment, and is now at 2.4817 mills. The May ballot will ask voters to restore the full 2.5 mills.

For the owner of a house valued at $150,000, a 2.5-mill levy represents $187.50 per year. (The number is $218.75 for a home valued at $175,000, or $75 for a home valued at $60,000.)

The millage brings in about $1.2 million per year. Money that is not needed for the library’s day-to-day operations is used to fund periodic upgrades to the library building. Over the past 10 years, those projects have included a new roof, new flooring in the computer area, replacing aging furniture, and most recently, the renovation of the youth services area and teen lounge.

Susan Nichols, who is chairing the renewal committee, said the library offers “something for everyone in the community,” including homeschool parents, families looking for wholesome children’s activities, residents working on genealogy, business owners looking for community information, job seekers who need internet access, people who want to participate in interesting and informative programs, and of course readers of all ages. 

“It is not financially funded by the city,” Nichols said. “Without the millage passing, Adrian residents will lose this precious resource for their businesses and their families.”

The Adrian District Library’s service area consists of the city of Adrian.

Also coming up in May: The Adrian and Morenci school districts will have operating millage renewals on the ballot. Watch for a story on those proposals in the April edition of the Lenawee Voice.