Clinton Township Public Library shares ‘what is at stake’ with May 5 special election

A portion of the Clinton Township Public Library, looking into the youth area, is seen during the afternoon hours on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.

By BRAD HEINEMAN

Clinton Local

It is exactly two months away from the May 5 special election in which the Clinton Township Public Library (CTPL) will ask voters to consider approving a new, additional 1.00 mill request for funding.

The library’s millage proposal will need a majority of the public’s support at the voting polls to levy $1 on each $1,000 of taxable value for 10 years — 2026 through 2035.

The decision to ask for a millage and conduct a special election has been considered by library staff and the library’s board of trustees. In January, the library board determined the millage and special election were necessary to pursue based on the age of the library’s 35-year-old building and some things within the building falling apart or in need of repair; the minimum wage rate rising to $15 an hour starting in January 2027; as well as the general cost of materials, supplies and increasing expenses.

The library board also in January reached the determination that seeking an additional 1.00 mill “is necessary for the support and maintenance of the library.”

Last week, as part of the library’s ongoing efforts to inform the public about the millage request and how the levied funding will be utilized, a public statement pertaining to the library’s millage was released by CTPL Director Mary Gallup.

In the statement, Gallup describes the importance of informing the community about the May 5 special election, saying, “If this millage does not pass, the library will be required to reduce its operating hours beginning April 1, 2027.”

“The additional millage will provide funding that will support the library’s daily operations, staffing, materials and programs that our community has grown to rely on,” Gallup says in the public statement, which can be found on both the library’s website and its Facebook page. “Without the additional revenues and due to the rising costs of materials, wages and other services, the library will be forced to cut essential services, such as daily hours, materials and programs.”

In its first year, the estimated revenue to be collected — if the ballot measure is passed by voters — would be approximately $167,000. The library’s existing millage generates $152,000 annually.

“I just want the public to be aware of what is at stake with this millage,” Gallup said in an interview with The Clinton Local. “And that the timing (of the public statement) was strategic. We didn’t just decide to do this out of nowhere. It is necessary that we do this now so that we can plan ahead.”

Gallup said the library has a timeline for how it is publicizing information related to the millage. Much of that information is being posted online to the Clinton Township Public Library’s Facebook page, with such posts dating back to the end of January.

The public statement is an additional way for the library to share the importance of the millage/special election.

“March is when we are really going to start pushing for the ‘why,’” Gallup said. “Prior to that, it was making sure everybody knew that there was going to be a millage and a special election happening. March is going to be the month to push the ‘why.’”

CTPL said it aims to provide complete transparency about its operations and finances. In recent months, the library has been sharing detailed, monthly expense reports on its Facebook page. More information about the millage can be found at clintontownshiplibrary.org/millage2026 or by contacting the library directly. CTPL added that it is encouraging residents to do their due diligence and research the upcoming election and most importantly, to vote.

Donations assist the library, including with upcoming special election

Whether it be books, volunteering or money, donations are regularly accepted with open arms at the Clinton Township Public Library.

In fact, an anonymous donation of $4,892.15 will be used specifically by the library to cover the costs of the May 5 millage proposal, including lawyer fees, election costs, publication and more.

“No taxpayer dollars will be used to hold an election in May,” Gallup previously said.

This donation is one example of the many donations received by the library.

In February, the library received a $465 donation from the Clinton United Church of Christ, and that money will be used to fund for snacks available to youth patrons at the library. Also last month, a $1,500 donation was given to the library from the Liza Brooks family specifically for building repairs.

After recently spending $29,000 to repair a number of fire sprinkler heads inside the library as part of the building’s fire suppression system, several other projects are on the library’s to-do list including an elevator upgrade in 2027 (quoted around $90,000), a new outdoor book drop (to replace the current one that is experiencing water damage) and a new copy machine.

Brooks penned a short letter to the library along with the donation, calling CTPL “a favorite place for me.”

“I used to regularly bring my children there when they were small and we participated in the summer reading programs,” Brooks said in the letter. “I know the library still serves as a wonderful place for our youth to feel safe, as well as offer many things for them to do. I appreciate your hard work in keeping the library running for our community. May this small donation help to ease the weight of repairs the building is facing.”

Gallup noted the library is unable to operate on donations alone.

“We shouldn’t have to run on donations alone. There are so many things we are able to do because of the donations,” she said. “Every summer, our summer reading program is 100% funded by donors and that can range from $3,000 to $5,000. If we did not get those donations, we would not have a summer reading program.”

Planning for the 2026 summer reading program is underway at CTPL. This year’s theme is “Unearth a Story,” and Gallup said she expects this edition of summer reading to cost approximately $5,000.

“During the summer, we have kids who practically live here,” Gallup said.

In January, the library’s T(w)een Time programming was the recipient of $2,500 in grant dollars awarded through the Lenawee YOUTH Council, a programming arm of the Lenawee Community Foundation, dedicated to providing young individuals in Lenawee County (ages 12-21) a space in which they can participate in community service projects, collaborate with others and develop leadership skills.

The library’s $2,500 grant was among the $25,000 in total grant dollars that were awarded to 16 programs and organizations in Lenawee County for youth-based projects. A selection of some of the other awardees include Adrian Center for the Arts; Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee; Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties; Habitat for Humanity and Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh.

CTPL — like the other awardees — needed to apply for grant funding from the Lenawee YOUTH Council.

“On average, we apply for between 5-10 grants per year,” Gallup said. “You don’t hear about all the grants that we don’t get.”