A proposal from state Rep. Luke Meerman protecting the viability of libraries in certain Michigan charter townships today was unanimously passed in a Michigan House vote.

House Bill 4119 – Meerman’s first legislation of the 2019-20 term – will allow 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 change will allow 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.

“It’s a small fix in the law, but one that will have a meaningful, long-lasting impact for our libraries in these two charter townships,” said Meerman, of Coopersville. “I’m pleased this bill was passed so swiftly and decisively by my colleagues in the House. It was important to me to make sure these two facilities are protected going forward due to the incredible educational benefit they provide to individuals of all ages within these communities.”

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. 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 has recently reached out to the affected libraries with recommendations, including changing to a district library. District libraries have publicly elected library boards, and townships caught in this predicament have raised concerns with transitioning control of their libraries from the township board to a new elected library board.

HB 4119 moves to the Senate for consideration.