According to preliminary results, nearly 100,000 voters submitted ballots in the special election, supporting the ballot measure 77% to 23%. Voters approved the new, lower rate of 1.1 mills, which reflects a reduction of 10.9% off KDL’s current millage rate of 1.2355 mills.
“My team and I want to thank all those who came out to show their support for KDL,” said KDL Executive Director Lance Werner. “The community already shows how much it values the library every day, with record-setting attendance at programs and total circulation of materials. We’re thrilled to see validation of this in the approval by voters.
“This millage will simultaneously save taxpayers money while securing our future and allowing us to continue serving our wonderful community.”
How taxpayers will save
The KDL board approved Jan. 1, 2024 as the start date, even though the current millage is not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2024. This will provide taxpayers with immediate savings.
Taxpayers will see immediate savings (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The millage will generate $26.6 million in its first year, covering the expense of physical and digital collections, employees, programs and events, tech tutoring and other library services, rent and other expenses.
With the new lower rate, taxpayers will save $3.1 million annually or $46.5 million over its life, with the average homeowner paying $145.75 annually for access to library services – or $2.80 per week.
About KDL services
The award-winning library system serves 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.
KDL’s collection is extensive, with more than 700,000 physical items and 15.6 million digital items. Known for its family-friendly programs, KDL offers more than 5,600 programs and outreach events each year.
Armed with umbrellas in an effort to stay dry from the downpour of rain, about 50 people came out to the dedication and ribbon cutting for the expansion of the KDL Grandville Branch on Oct. 8.
The event, hosted by the City of Grandville and the Kent District Library, celebrated the addition of 6,665 square feet to the library, with the largest part of the addition being a divisible community room for hosting library programs and serving city and community events.
“At the Grandville Branch, we see a number of people from throughout the county,” said KDL Grandville Branch Manager Josh Bernstein, who is a regional manager serving both the Grandville and Byron Center branches. In fact, because the KDL library branches over the years have become more regional sources, KDL has created regional branch managers to work with communities.
“We have a lot of our neighbors from Byron Center and Georgetown, as we have a partnership with them, coming to the Grandville library for resources and meeting space,” he said.
A new feature is the fireplace that separates the community room from the library. (WKTV)
Visitors check out the new children’s play area. (WKTV)
The KDL Grandville branch has more than one million library items. (WKTV)
Space was the original reason that Grandville City Council decided to move the library from the city complex to its own space. The current library facility was built in 1991 and dedicated in 1992. The original library project costs was about $1.8 million.
Space again was the concern for city and community leaders to come together to raise funds for the expansion, according to Grandville Mayor Steve Maas who spoke during the dedication ceremony. Through the additional space, Maas said the library facility was able to expand from one study room to 10 new private study rooms. The expanded and updated Grandville facility also includes:
The new Nelson Foundation Disability Resource Room
More than a million library items
Hundreds of regularly scheduled in-person programs and activities for all ages
Separate and enclosed space for children’s programs and early literacy efforts
Drive-up book drop
Larger space for the Friends of the Grandville Library Book Nook
Fireplace area separating the library from the new community center
New, high-efficiency HVAC system
Additional restrooms, including a family restroom
Area residents and leaders were willing to brave the heavy rains for the KDL Grandville Branch dedication on Oct. 8. (WKTV)
For the new addition, city and community leaders hosted a Building Beyond Books fundraising campaign with the goal of raising about a million dollars. At the time of the dedication, the effort had raised $870,000 with donations still being accepted.
KDL oversees 20 branches that serve the communities around Grand Rapids. (The City of Grand Rapids is served by the Grand Rapids Library.) Locations on the southwest side of the county include, Wyoming, Kentwood, Gaines, Byron Center, Grandville, Caledonia, and Kelloggsville High School. KDL operates the Bookmobilie and the KDL Wyoming branch houses the KDL Talking Book and Braille Center. For more about KDL and its locations, visit kdl.org.
Calling all local musicians! Kent District Library is now accepting submissions to KDL Vibes, our upcoming streaming platform that features music from West Michigan musicians.
Vibes will offer an online collection that showcases and shares current local music for free. Musicians who would like to have their music selected to be featured in the collection are invited to submit a sample track from their album using the online form. After submitting the form, a jury consisting of members of West Michigan’s local music community and library staff with music backgrounds will review and select 40-50 albums per submission round. These musicians will be paid an honorarium for their contribution which is a way for the library to support our vibrant arts community.
“The Vibes platform is a great way to celebrate our local music scene,” said Stacy Schuster, Collection Development Librarian for KDL. “Musicians will have the opportunity to share their songs and music lovers will have access to the amazing talents of musicians in the West Michigan area.”
KDL Vibes streaming platform is set to launch to the public later this year for patrons to listen to music from their favorite West Michigan musicians.
Musicians looking for more information or who have any questions can visit vibes.kdl.org/faq or email the team at vibes@kdl.org.
KDL Branch Outreach and Program Specialist Ty Papke and Godfrey-Lee Media Specialist Harry Coffill take a break in the new East Lee Campus library. (Supplied/KDL)
When Godfrey-Lee’s Media Specialist Harry Coffill shared that the district’s East Lee Campus did not have a library and due to budget constraints, the chances that the alternative high school getting one were slim, staff at the Kent District Library listened.
The welcome sign at the new East Campus library. (Supplied/KDL)
After all, the chance to get books in the hands of anyone, especially students, is a temptation that no librarian can ever really resist, so the KDL staff partnered with the the Godfrey-Lee media staff and built a private collection for the school.
“We really focused on providing books and materials that would be popular for that specific population,” said Ty Papke, the branch outreach and programming specialist for the KDL Wyoming and Kelloggsville branches. “The students also will have access to the KDL full catalog and will be able to request books from other KDL branches which will be delivered by the KDL Bookmobile.”
The groundbreaking collaboration started two years ago with KDL and Godfrey-Lee staff looking through the KDL’s collection for possible selections for the new library. Through discussion, it was decided that while the library would have books that connect to the East Lee curriculum, the new library’s main focus would be to encourage reading, Papke said.
The new East Lee Campus library was designed with the student population in mind. (Supplied/KDL)
“We want the students to enjoy reading rather than feel like they are forced to,” he said, adding that the collection was designed so students would be able to find books about people that are like them, helping to give a voice to what students are facing whether they are Spanish speakers, LGBTQ, or teen parents.
Therefore, the collection has a broad selection that includes teen fiction, novels, graphic novels, junior level chapter books, and some picture books for those with younger siblings or have children of their own.
A former classroom was converted at the East Lee Campus with shelves and signage added with some comfy furniture as well.
“I’m really excited about building a community partnership with KDL that allows East Lee students access to exciting literature choices while engaging them in a relationship with a community library that will serve them well into the future,” Coffill said in a recent release about the new library. “The books chosen for the KDL Godfrey-Lee library are exciting, and I can’t wait to see our students utilize the space.”
Unfortunately, the East Lee students have not had a chance to “check out” the library since the school has been in virtual learning well before the recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services three-week partial shut-down order that took effect on Nov. 18.
Papke said there also is a goal to have the students come to a KDL branch and do a “shopping spree” of sorts among the stacks for books they would like to see in the new East Lee library. This adventure will have to wait due to the COVID situation, he said.
For now, Papke said KDL is pleased to be able to help connect students to books in hopes they too will become lifelong readers.
The East Lee library is the first private collection at a school that KDL has built. In 2017, KDL opened the KDL Kelloggsville branch in partnership with Kelloggsville Public School. The KDL Kelloggsville branch, located in the high school, was the first KDL-school partnership. The Kelloggsville branch is open to the public after school. Currently, all KDL branches are closed to the public and only offering online services and curbside pick up.
Kent District Library is working to make library patrons aware that an employee who works at the Wyoming and Kelloggsville branches has tested positive for COVID-19.
The person was working at the Wyoming KDL branch, located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. Oct. 26 – 28 and the Kelloggsville branch, located in the Kelloggsville High School, 4787 S. Division Ave., Oct. 27.
Both of the locations are closed and will reopen Monday, Nov. 9. The KDL Wyoming branch lobby is open for today’s elections, according to officials from the City of Wyoming.
KDL Kelloggsville Branch is closed until Nov. 9. (WKTV)
Materials that are ready for pickup at either location will become available after reopening. Due dates and hold-pickup deadlines will be extended.
KDL officials stated in a release that due to the extensive health safety protocols put into place by the City of Wyoming, Kelloggsville School District and Kent District Library, the risk of patrons contracting the virus from the employee while at the location is assumed to be extremely low. At the same time, library officials wanted the public to be aware of the situation and to assure that safety of the public and staff is the highest priority.
For more information, call 616-784-2007, email ask@kdl.libranswers.com, or visit the KDL website, kdl.org. The remaining 17 KDL branches are opening including KDL Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch, 4650 Breton Rd. SE; KDL Gaines, 421 68th St. SE; and KDL Grandville, 4055 Maple St. SW.
If you are looking to strengthen your reading skills you now have more options at your fingertips with the Kent District Library’s addition of its new SPARKS Collection.
Now available at all 19 KDL branches, the SPARK collection contains books for adult beginning readers. SPARK is a collaboration between the KDL and the Literacy Center of West Michigan. This collection has been in the works since last winter and is now available to the public.
“Literacy is a foundation for a full adult life, providing not only a connection to the world around us but also the independence to make our own choices,” said Samantha Hodge, Collection Development Librarian at KDL. “With the SPARK collection, KDL will be a proud partner for adults working to improve their literacy skills and reach incredible goals.”
Hodge said she has always wanted to create a collection of books for beginning adult readers. In the past, the library had a small collection however it never received much attention. She came up with the idea for SPARK after discovering the High/Lo collection at other libraries across the nation. The High/Lo collection of books with a high-interest level and low vocabulary and readability levels. This way the materials do not intimidate new readers and provide them with interesting subjects.
The SPARKS Collection has a selection of adult beginner readers. (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
The Literacy Center of West Michigan guided Hodge in the process of picking books for the collection. This is not the Center’s first time working with the KDL, they have been working with them for the past four years.
The Literacy Center of West Michigan runs an adult tutoring program designed to help non-native speakers learn to speak English. It is the organization’s goal to make West Michigan the region with the highest literacy levels in the nation. Previously, learners would pick up books from the library at the Center but staff at the Center also wanted to have materials available for learners at the public libraries.
“The partnership between KDL and the Literacy Center is supporting adults and children in West Michigan,” said Community Literacy Initiative Director Mike Nassar, . This is a great step to help adult learners in the community.”
According to information provided by the Literacy Center of West Michigan, one in eight West Michigan adults struggle with low literacy. It is the organization’s goal to make West Michigan the region with the highest literacy levels in the nation. The Literacy Center offers one-on-one tutoring, work-related classes, and family literacy programming to students.
“The library wants to partner with you if you want to increase your learning skills or start from the beginning,” Hodge said. “We want to be your partner.”
The collection has had a slow take-off because of the COVID-19 pandemic but the KDL staff is working hard to make the public aware that it is available at all 19 KDL branches and the Bookmobile. For more information visit www.kdl.org
Summer looks a little different this year and so does Kent District Library’s summer reading program, but it still contains all the learning, fun and prizes you love… with some bonus excitement! KDL is pleased to introduce Summer Wonder, an at-home, self-guided program for all ages that runs through Saturday, Aug. 8.
For the first time ever, KDL cardholders will receive a Summer Wonder workbook and a Kaleidoscope, KDL’s showcase quarterly magazine, delivered to them in the mail. The workbook features ten at-home projects for kids while the Kaleidoscope includes information, ideas and excitement for all ages. Kids will be introduced to Curi, the robot guide for Summer Wonder.
Summer Wonder is a STEAM-powered program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Since KDL branches are closed for now, Summer Wonder can be completed from your home. You can sign up at kdl.org/summer and use KDL’s new smart phone app, Beanstack. This app enables people to record their progress and register for prizes right from their phone, tablet or computer.
“The new reality of doing more at-home learning has created challenges in keeping our brains active while maintaining safe social connections,” said Kris Vogelar, Youth Specialist at the Grandville Branch. “KDL wants to meet you where you’re at with a specially designed summer program for all ages.”
Those who register for Summer Wonder can qualify for prizes by completing the 30-day challenge. In 2019, over 19,000 people completed KDL’s summer reading program.
Summer Wonder is a great opportunity to limit the “summer slide” that negatively affects learning between the end and start of the traditional school year. Extensive research shows that children involved in summertime reading programs sponsored by public libraries are more likely to maintain their academic skills, and in many cases do better on standardized tests.
The website, kdl.org/summer, is your one-stop-shop for all things related to Summer Wonder. You can download the workbook and access online programs and activities. The program line-up includes appearances by 1,2,3 Andrés, Magician Tom Plunkard, Outdoor Discovery Center and many more.
KDL would like to thank the many sponsors of Summer Wonder, including the Friends of the Cascade Library and the Friends of the East Grand Rapids Library, who gave the lead gifts.
With much of the necessary updates made to the City of Wyoming’s library building, Wyoming officials are now turning their attention to its parks by asking its voters to allow the city’s dedicated library maintenance millage to be opened up to make improvements at four of its parks.
The proposal will go before voters at the May 2 election. It is requesting that about .16 of the .39 library maintenance levy be used to help with park improvements. The nearly $800,000 per year raised would be used to pay a 15-year bond of $4.4 million. The bond money would be used for four parks: Ideal, Jackson, Ferrand, and Gezon.
“From a mill levy standpoint it is less than $12 a year,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “So it is the average cost for a homeowner in the City of Wyoming less than one cup of coffee a month.”
The City of Wyoming’s request is not an increase to voters but would allow the city more flexibility in using the library maintenance funds for park improvements.
“By being creative, by being flexible, we can meet the needs of this community without having to ask voters for an increase in millage,” said Rynbrandt, who oversees the city’s Park and Recreation Department.
More than $650,000 in facility improvements have been made at the library, which is located at 3350 Michael Ave. SW. Those improvements have included a new roof and the conversion of the former library cafe into a public meeting space. The library is part of the Kent District Library system, which provides for all of the materials, books, CDs, etc. Those materials are covered by the KDL millage. The city’s library maintenance millage is only for the facility and would have no impact on the operation of the library, Rynbrandt said.
“So here we are at the point now where we are saying that we don’t need to make significant investment in library maintenance for the next ten years so we have a choice,” Rynbrandt said. “Can we ask the voters to recognize maintenance and capital needs in the park system and would they allow us the flexibility to use some of those library maintenance funds on park capital.”
Every five years, the City of Wyoming meets with residents and city staff to review needs at its parks. Through that process, the city has recognized more than $23 million in park improvements. In 1994, Wyoming residents did grant a park millage which for the past 20 years the city has been able to invest and maintain the parks without an increase, Rynbrandt said.
However, within four years the city has had several natural disasters — a 2013 flood, and 2014 and 2016 tornados — which has created a greater need, Rynbrandt said. Highlighting some of those needs is Ideal Park, one of the four parks that would receive funding through the millage proposal. Ideal Park was severally impacted from the 2014 tornado with its playground equipment destroyed. The city was able to remove much of the debris and get the park reopened only to have the 2016 tornado cause more damage.
Ideal Park was closed after the 2014 tornado caused serve damage, destroy the park’s playground.
Learning from those lessons, Rynbrandt said the city recognizes that it needs to improve the security at the park along with the entrances and exits. The city also would like to replace the playground equipment as well, she said.
Another park is Gezon Park, located between Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street, which has had tremendous residential growth around it. A site plan was developed for the park in 1996, which needs to be reviewed, Rynbrandt said since things have changed so much around the park.
“We didn’t have splash pads back then,” Rynbrandt said as example of some of the changes. The south and north ends of the park have been developed, but the center of the park remains mostly open with residents asking when will the development for that area begin.
Also on the list is Ferrand Park, a small pocket park located off of Byron Center, that serves a very dense residential area, Rynbrandt said. The park has not had any improvements or new equipment in a number of years.
Jackson Park is the last park on the list. Located at 1331 33rd St. SW, this park, which at one time had a swimming pool, is in an area that was once Lake Alexandria and floods frequently. One of the goals is to improve the stormwater control along with security and safety as well as put in a restroom and improve parking.
For more about the millage request and the four parks, visit wyparks.com or visit wyomingmi.gov and go to Parks and Recreation.
