Frequently Asked Questions

What is the service area for this proposed library and what happens when the TK School District makes the decision to close the library to the community?

Legal counsel from the Library of Michigan has clarified that the service area for a new library would be Thornapple and Yankee Springs townships and that households within the Thornapple Kellogg School District that are not in these two townships are already serviced by another nearby library branch. We are working with the TK school administration to be sure that the timing of a library departure from the school would never create a lapse in library services for anyone in the district.

If plans for a new library are not in place before the current library is closed to the public, existing library cards would be deactivated and no longer usable at surrounding libraries. Other libraries may not be able to issue new library cards, especially not for free, to folks who live outside of their service areas.

Where are we in the process? 

Friends of the Middleville Area Community raised funds for a “Feasibility Study”, or need assessment for a freestanding library project that was completed in March of 2025. Results of that study can be found linked above. It helped shed light on how much support this project has from our donor community and to what degree we can rely on philanthropic fundraising from that support. With feedback from this study, Ad Hoc Library Committee members have reported to Village Council and Thornapple Township and next steps are being taken to inform the community of the study results and to receive community comment and input on the project as it moves forward.

Where will a new library building go, will it be newly built or repurposed, who will pay for it, when will it be built?

The Library Committee suggested to study participants sites that offered a walkable distance to downtown Middleville with a focus on easy accessibility and parking. Feedback from the study favored the riverside location near the pavilion and amphitheater. Final determination of a new site and the building specifications will be decided between the Village and the generosity of our donor community with ample opportunity for input from the community. In late 2025, the concept of a mixed-use municipal and library space was introduced as a way to better utilize available funding. This space, whether it be a new construction or a major renovation of an existing space, will be designed and built only after the community has had the chance to consider our options and offer insight and feedback.

The construction of the building will be paid for by a combination of municipal and privately donated funds once a library contract with Thornapple and/or Yankee Springs Townships has been negotiated and millage support determined. With support from the needs assessment, we have estimated our new project budget to be $3-4 million. Fundraising efforts for the building and campaigning for the operational library millage will begin in earnest in 2026.

What will happen to the existing library?

It will continue serving the High School with an increased capacity to focus the collection and programming on our high school students.

Will we join Kent District Library (KDL)? 

Once we have a building for a public library available, we are confident that KDL will be able to accommodate our community. They have been invaluable partners and continue to work with us as we puzzle through this long and complex process and work with the various municipalities involved. If, for any reason KDL is unable to contract with our community library, we would remain as a member of the Lakeland Library Cooperative.

What are the perks of joining KDL? 

There are many perks to being partnered with the national award winning Kent District Library, especially the lower millage rate that their partnership would cost taxpayers than would an independent branch. They provide all of the good library “stuff” like books, computers and staff. We encourage anyone curious about their excellent programming and collections to check them out at KDL.org

What kind of millage are we anticipating? 

The KDL operational millage is 1.1, which for the average Thornapple Township household is approx $157 per year/$13 per month. The typical household within the KDL system can save up to $1300 by replacing subscriptions and printing services with library amenities. Again, Kent District Library is a national award winning library system and the operational millage includes all materials, staff and programming.

What happens when TK School District decides to close the library to the public? 

Existing library cards will be deactivated and will no longer be usable at surrounding libraries. Other libraries may not be able to issue new library cards,  especially not for free, to folks who live outside of their service areas.

What does the TK School Board think about this? 

Members have voiced support for moving public service to a free-standing library outside the high school. The board pledged $2500 to help cover the expense of the need assessment study in 2024. Recently, we met with Superintendent Pouch and Deputy Superintendent Provost to answer their questions and to clarify that the community library is indeed a financial liability to the district and not as great an asset to the community as it could be.

Why is this an urgent matter? 

The current combined collection model limits the access and funding of a full time public library. This means that, as school funding gets tighter and tighter, public access to the library and dedication to our public collection will diminish.

It will take time to educate our community about the unique circumstances of our limited library services and to raise the necessary funds. In the meantime, our community is missing out on tons of fun and important programming, internet and printing services, access to an immense digital collection and the ability to use a library to its full potential.