November 11, 2023
Greg Chandler, Sun and News
A committee that wants to develop a standalone public library in Middleville is asking the village for a contribution of up to $15,000 to help pay for retaining a consultant to conduct a feasibility study.
Michelle Frey, one of the citizen members of the nine-member committee that was formed in late summer, submitted the group’s request to the Village Council at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting.
The committee is expected to retain Keith Hopkins of
Hopkins Fundraising Consulting, who played a central role in fundraising efforts to build the Kent District Library Caledonia branch in 2011, for the study.
Hopkins had met last spring with another committee that had begun discussions on a standalone public library in Middleville, prior to the Village Council’s appointment of the current committee.
Hopkins has proposed a $25,000 fee for his services. About $10,000 is available from the Beacon Society, Friends of the Middleville Area Community Library, for the feasibility study. The committee is seeking an additional grant of $15,000 through the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an affiliate foundation of the Barry Community Foundation.
“As of yet, we don’t know if we’ve received that grant,” Frey said.
So, the committee is asking the village for a contribution of $10,000-$15,000, depending on how much it receives from TAEF.
“The hope is that the village can help support this feasibility study, as we do have another round of (American Rescue Plan Act) funds that might be avail-able, or if we can find space in the budget,” said Village President Mike Cramer, who is one of two Village Council members on the committee. “This is just to start the discussion.”
Council Trustee Makenzi Peters, who is the other Village Council member on the committee, called the proposed village contribution “a good initial investment.”
Trustee Ann Williams asked if the village was going to be the only governmental entity asked to assist with funding the study. She asked if Thornapple Township might make a contribution.
“That would be part of the discussion, that we reach out to the township and see if they would also be interested, as this library would also serve township residents,” Cramer said.
Trustee Kevin Smith agreed that the township should be considered for support. “It’s resource,” he said.
Trustee Richard Hamilton expressed concern about Hopkins’ background.
“The one thing I would liked to have seen in this contractor is what this contractor has done at other libraries,” Hamilton said.
Peters said Hopkins would be willing to come to a future library committee meeting to talk more about his back-ground. Besides the KDL Caledonia branch, he has worked on library projects in Ada Township, Grandville, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Saugatuck and Wyoming, according to his business website.
The request is expected to come back before the council at a future meeting.
Middleville Community Library 