Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Grosse Pointe Public Library! VOTE YES on February 28, 2012.

The Library is faced with a significant challenge to its ability to serve its community. The Grosse Pointe Library Millage Committee has been organized to provide information regarding a planned supplementary Library millage to be voted on February 28, 2012.

Background

Prior to 2008, our Library was in sound financial condition. However, with the economic recession of 2008, an unprecedented drop in property values (in excess of 20%) hit our community. With 91% of the Library's funding coming from a millage assessed on real property, there has been a devastating drop in Library revenues.

The Library management and board have slashed expenses while working to maintain the level of services that Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods patrons have come to expect. The Library has used some rainy day funds to protect the services it offers. However, that fund will be exhausted by the year 2014.

Proposal

The board has proposed a short term supplementary millage to cover deficits occurring in the next eight years while the economy returns to normal. The Library has evaluated the revenue needed to preserve core services, to avoid cutting hours, or  to close one of the three branches. The Library will ask voters to approve an amount of up to .7 mills to cover any deficit. The Library will insure that:

• The money will be used to maintain current Library services only.
• This is a short term millage, implemented for 8 years only.
• The Library will continue to hold expenses to the barebones level. 
• The Board will only levy the milllage amount required to cover the deficit for that year (up to .7 mills) 

More information is in the attached documents - please scroll down.

How Can I help?

The Grosse Pointe Millage Committee is comprised of Library patrons, volunteers, and citizens who have come together to develop an information campaign to get the word out. Help insure all Grosse Pointers and Harper Woods residents in the Library service area are aware of this vote and will come out to support the Library in February.

Contact the Grosse Pointe Library Millage Committee to learn more about how you can help!  librarymillage@gmail.com

Volunteer

To volunteer, please click the VOLUNTEER tab, or print out the downloadable PDF form below.