By EVELYN GATHU

Director, Crystal Falls District Community Library

Did you know that the Crystal Falls District Community Library currently houses $414,789.45 worth of materials, with the average item costing $23.07? Did you know the average taxpayer pays $30.13 a year to the library? Essentially, your money pays for only 1.3 items a year at the library. You are getting a lot for your money.

We need your help. On the Nov. 3 ballot, the Crystal Falls District Community Library is seeking a millage renewal to support operational funding.

The current millage rate of 1 mill ends in December of 2020, and the requested renewal of that millage will begin Jan. 1, 2021, and continue five years, through 2025. The library millage ballot will be decided by residents of the municipalities that are members of the library district — the city of Crystal Falls, Crystal Falls Township and Mansfield Township.  

The library board of directors consists of representatives from each municipality served by the library. They are: Rose Poynter (Mansfield Township), Scott Laurie (City of Crystal Falls), Helen Barnett (City of Crystal Falls), Susie Schwedler (Crystal Falls Township), Staria Syrjanen (Crystal Falls Township), Deb Divoky (Crystal Falls Township), Joan Mussatto (City of Crystal Falls) and Nancy Hronkin-Force (rotating member).

The funds garnered from this millage go toward utilities; technology such as internet service, ebooks, emagazines, computer hardware and software, technology maintenance; books — adult, large print, young adult, juvenile, easy readers, leveled readers, and chapter books; books on CD; our up-to-date DVD collection; magazines; newspapers; program expenses; furnishings; equipment such as the card catalogue automation systems; postage; building maintenance; staff; professional services like bookkeeping and audits; interlibrary loan services; trash disposal; and janitorial supplies and services.  

Additional facts about the library:

— On average, more than 350 patrons a week visit the library.

— The Crystal Falls District Community Library has 2,274 card holders. On average, each cardholder checks out five materials a year.

— The library has 13,352 books in its collection, with 1,241 in large print. 

— The library has 1,428 books on CD.

— The library has 3,537 DVDs.

— The library subscribes to six newspapers and 54 magazines.

— The library hosted 18 programs and seven book club sessions in the past year that were attended by 552 patrons and visitors. Some of them happened virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

— The library has kept active, even while shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, by hosting author chats such as one with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, famous for her work with the Flint water crisis; virtual concerts; and book clubs for kids and adults who have a virtual option to join by Zoom.

— The library works with the Forest Park Schools by hosting a poetry workshop for the secondary school, librarian visits and book readings, assisting the elementary library with purchasing books, and hosting classroom visits to the library.

— A landmark decision was made in August 2019 that all Forest Park students — virtual and face-to-face — are entitled to a free library card, regardless of whether they live in one of our taxpaying municipalities or not.

— Luckily, in this past year the library has received two major grants, with those monies being used to offset personal protection equipment needed to provide a clean and safe environment for staff and patrons, and also to fund our continuing Global Explorers program for children that will return in November. The library has an application for a grant pending as well. If awarded this grant, the library will be able to host more programs at the school along with purchasing over 150 books to be given to Forest Park students to help build their “home libraries”!

In our 2020 patron survey, our facilities at the library ranked 4.96 out of five points. The library is an excellent place for educational and recreational reading. Our building is exceptionally clean and comfortable. We offer free assistance, materials and space for all the citizens of our district. The library hopes that the community will vote to renew our millage in order for the library continue serving all of our patrons and visitors! To conclude, here are some quotes that we hope help you to make your decision on Nov. 3 easier. These quotes are taken from our 2020 Crystal Falls District Community Library Patron Survey:

“A wonderful place to use computers, read and relax. Cozy, quite atmosphere. Clean and a wonderful assortment of books and DVDs.”

“Great place to visit to read papers, go on computer or read a good book.”

“I find the library a pleasant place to visit and very educational, with a fine non-fiction selection. I love everything about the library.”

“I have access to very large and numerous libraries when we go south for the winter. But I always wait until we come home to Crystal Falls to get the books I want. Our library may be small, but it’s hands down better and more user-friendly than big community libraries! I love our local library!”