By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
In November 2023, Kent County voters approved a 15-year renewal millage for the award-winning Kent District Library system. However, the approved ballot language does not give KDL the authority to assess the new millage until December 2025, resulting in a one-year funding gap.
KDL will ask voters to consider a one-year nonrenewable millage at a rate of 1.1 mills on the Aug. 6 ballot that, if approved, will support the system’s 2025 operations.
Gap millage details
The gap millage is at the same rate property owners pay now, and there is no overlap with any other KDL millage.
If approved, the millage will generate $27.6 million, which will cover the expense of physical and digital collections, employees, programs and events, tech tutoring and other library services, rent and other expenses in 2025.
The average homeowner in the KDL service area would pay $145.75 annually for access to its broad array of services – or about $2.80 per week, less than the cost of most cups of coffee, which is the same as what they are paying now.
“More than 90% of KDL’s operating costs are paid by millage dollars,” KDL Executive Director Lance Werner said. “An issue with the 2023 millage dates occurred inadvertently and has resulted in our need to go back to voters for a one-year millage to fill this funding gap. There’s no overlap and no double-dipping.
“If the gap ballot question does not pass voter approval in this election cycle, KDL will be forced to make substantive cuts to our team, hours, branches, services and programs in 2025.”
The millage will be levied Dec. 1, 2024 to fund 2025 library operations until the 15-year renewal millage can be accessed in December 2025.
This is a one-time request to bridge the funding gap in 2025. KDL will not ask for a renewal of this millage.
How KDL serves the community
KDL serves more than 440,000 residents in 27 municipalities through 20 branches, an Express Library, a bookmobile, its main service center, 5,000-plus annual in-person programs and a host of patron-focused services, from in-branch printer/Wi-Fi access and loanable mobile hot spots to early literacy initiatives and an extensive assortment of talking books and Braille resources.
Early literacy and education partnerships are a cornerstone of KDL service for the community. KDL has a long-standing tradition inspiring students to continue their learning through the summer. In addition to helping students and their families directly, KDL provides a wide array of resources to teachers, which can be found online here.
KDL’s collection is comprised of more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. These include books, e-books, apps, magazines, movies, television programs, audio books, video courses, video games, music, online databases, research materials and at-home learning materials, as well as access to statewide materials and collections.
In 2023, total circulation rose 8% to more than 7.6 million while public computer usage grew 18% and Wi-Fi usage grew 6%. KDL is in the top 50 libraries worldwide for OverDrive digital circulation.
Known for family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 6,400 programs and outreach events each year, from popular baby/toddler/preschool storytimes, learning labs and craft classes to book clubs, concerts and special activities.
The system employs more than 340 people and receives 5,900-plus hours annually from more than 650 volunteers.
Resource links
“KDL remains committed to fostering a lifelong love of reading, learning and critical thinking,” Werner said. “Funding from this millage is critical in order for us to continue to operate and provide resources for all in our community throughout 2025.”
More information on the one-year millage proposal and a millage calculator can be found here.
More information on KDL and the services and resources they offer can be found here.
