A proposal from state Rep. Luke Meerman protecting the viability of libraries in certain Michigan charter townships was recently signed into law by the governor.

House Bill 4119, now Public Act 24 of 2019, was Meerman’s first legislation of the 2019-20 term. The new law allows a township board to re-establish and maintain a free public library after previous adjustments to existing law put their financial futures in question.

The signing allows for a few potentially affected libraries, including ones in Allendale and Georgetown, to remain eligible for state aid and revenue from fees so they can continue offering the same beneficial services they have over the past half century.

“I’m pleased to have this first bill signed into law because of the positive, long-lasting impact it will have within these two communities,” said Meerman, of Coopersville. “These types of facilities help keep our communities strong. This law is going to ensure these particular local libraries are protected going forward with needed revenue while they continue to provide educational benefits to people of all ages locally.”

In 2006, the Charter Township Act was amended to allow the board of a charter township to establish and maintain a free public library with certain county population thresholds. However, some communities chose to continue as established under a previous law that, in part, allowed for a library controlled by the township board.

The state library had previously reached out to local libraries with establishment recommendations, including changing to a district library. District libraries have publicly elected library boards, and townships were facing the possibility of transitioning control of their libraries from the township board to a new elected library board. Meerman’s plan brings those existing libraries into the current establishment structure with their current makeup.