Library Improvement Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Capital Area District Library (CADL)?

The Capital Area District Library was formed 10 years ago to provide public library service to Ingham County residents. The only exception is East Lansing, which operates and maintains its own separate library. In addition to traditional book lending, CADL provides patrons with internet access, audio books, movies and music, lecture series, meeting space, special programming for kids and countless educational and recreational services for the community as a whole.

CADL does not own any buildings. Local municipalities are responsible for providing and maintaining facilities. CADL provides staffing, materials, programs, support services, supplies and utilities to each of its libraries. CADL's bookmobile stops at numerous locations around Ingham County, including senior citizen centers, assisted living homes and shopping centers.

What is the Library Improvement Plan?

The Library Improvement Plan will provide CADL with the resources it needs to meet the growing needs of our community. The Library Improvement Plan was developed to fulfill CADL's structural and inventory expansion needs through 2030. The plan calls for renovated or new libraries for all of our 13 locations.

Why do we need to upgrade our libraries?

Libraries are more than just book lenders today. They must provide Internet access, meeting space, community programming, kid/family space, movies and music and, of course, books. Library visitation has nearly doubled since 2000 and services have grown beyond existing capacity. New technologies, special materials, and services to special groups are forced into space that was never designed for those purposes. Many libraries are aging and are in desperate need of physical improvements - all our branches are in need of renovation or new facilities.

Why upgrade now?

Since 2000, circulation of library materials has more than doubled with 2.4 million items borrowed in 2007. Library visitation has increased by 125,000 per year to 1.6 million in 2007. Computer use has tripled.

According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) construction inflation costs are expected to rise at an average annual rate of 7% after 2008. Based on our expected construction costs, each year of delay for this project will add over $5,000,000 in additional costs in the future. That’s equals over $416,000 per month.

Who prepared the Library Improvement Plan?

Penchansky Whisler Architects of Ann Arbor prepared the Library Improvement Plan in conjunction with the CADL Board of Directors, the Library Task Force Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee. The final recommendations of the Library Improvement Plan were developed with input from political and community leaders, library employees, library patrons and the community at-large.

How will the Library Improvement Plan benefit our local economy?

The plan will create construction jobs and put more Ingham County residents to work. In addition, recent studies, including one conducted by the Urban Institute, conclude that public libraries fuel local economies because of their roles in building technology skills, entrepreneurial activity, and vibrant, livable places; and that public libraries are powerful tools for communities to attract and develop new business and well-paying jobs. A vibrant library system improves the quality of life and quality of community of all our residents.

What does this mean for my local community?

The following chart identifies the proposed construction for each of our community libraries:

Other than bricks and mortar, what else will the Plan provide?

In addition to bricks and mortar, the Library Improvement Plan will also allow the libraries to upgrade their services and products to meet the growing needs of our community. New or expanded services include additional kid space, family-friendly environments, new technology, expanded meeting space, a 100-percent increase in computers, expanded seating, quiet study areas, small group discussion rooms, streamlined check-out, a 50-percent increase in materials, and increased entrepreneurial support.

CADL will also become financially responsible for all maintenance costs including heating, plumbing, and electrical systems, landscaping, snow removal, and maintenance of the building structure itself. These costs are currently the responsibility of the local municipality.

What is planned for Impression 5?

The Impression 5 Science Museum is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 organization that has helped thousands of Ingham County families gain a greater understanding about science and math, and their application to learning and life.
The Capital Area District Library is developing an agreement with Impression Five to provide space for Impression 5 on the same site as the Lansing Library.  This agreement will allow both the Library and Impression 5 to share visitors, resources and exhibits, marketing and promotional programs – and costs.

Will Impression 5 Pay Rent to CADL?

Yes, Impression 5 will pay a nominal rent to CADL. In addition, I-5 will pay for its own moving expenses, exhibits, operation and maintenance costs, and utilities.

Will local communities have a say in the design of their new library?

Local community members helped to develop the Library Improvement Plan and have provided input for conceptual drawings. Additional community workshops are being planned to solicit input from residents about the design of their local library.

When will the library improvements be completed?

The library will stagger the library improvements so as to minimize disruption to the vital services it provides to the community. It is estimated that all library improvements will be completed by 2014.

What are local communities doing to support the Library Improvement Plan?

CADL has asked communities receiving a new facility to provide the land on which the library will be built. The Library Improvement Plan will fund the physical improvements of our libraries, or new facilities if the existing structure cannot be renovated.

What will this cost me?

The Library Improvement Plan will cost property owners .96 mill per year from 2008 through 2029. The owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 would pay $48 per year or less than $1 per week.

CADL's current operating millage of 1.56 mills was approved by voters in 2006 and will continue through 2009. Voters will be asked to renew this operating millage in 2010.

Together these two millages would cost the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 about $126 per year or less than $2.50 per week.

Who approves the plan?

Voters do. To implement the Library Improvement Plan, Ingham County voters (with the exception of voters residing in the City of East Lansing) will have the opportunity to approve a millage proposal that will appear on the August 5, 2008 ballot. If approved, the funds will be levied and the Library Improvement Plan would go into motion.

What information will be printed on the ballot?

The ballot question asks Ingham County voters (with the exception of East Lansing) to approve a millage in the amount of 0.96 of a mill through the year 2029 for the purpose of the library’s Library Improvement Plan. The exact language of the question is as follows:

"Shall the Capital Area District Library levy a new additional millage not to exceed .96 of one mill ($.96 per thousand dollars of taxable value) for the period 2008 through 2029 inclusive for the purpose of: acquiring, developing and improving sites; constructing, expanding and renovating public library buildings; providing space that may be used for the Impression 5 Science Center; equipping and furnishing the library buildings and supporting public library services in those buildings? The amount of revenue raised by the levy in 2008 is estimated to be $6,628,000."

"If this proposal passes, the owner of a home with a market value of $100,000 would pay an additional $48 in property taxes."

"New buildings are planned to be constructed in the following communities: City of Lansing, Delhi Township (Holt), City of Mason, Meridian Township (Okemos), and the City of Williamston. The following facilities are planned to be expanded: Aurelius Library, Dansville Library, Meridian Township (Haslett Library), Leslie Library, South Lansing Library, Stockbridge Library. The Foster Library and Webberville Library are planned for renovation."

What happens if the Library Improvement Plan does not pass?

Without voter approval of the Library Improvement Plan the library will be unable to make the improvements necessary to meet the demands of the community. The gap between the growing needs of the community and the resources our libraries are able to provide will continue to increase.

How do I get more information?

You can get more information on the CADL's Library Improvement Plan by:

• Talking to your local librarian
• Calling the CADL staff at 517-367-6300, and selecting 0 for the operator
• E-mailing to comments@cadl.org