More than books
Library holds information session
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HANCOCK -- The Hancock Area District Library held its second voter information session regarding the upcoming millage Monday at the library. Residents asked questions about the millage, as well as what services the library would offer if it does not pass.
The session was headed by Library Board President Carolyn Dekker and Hancock Librarian Boni Ashburn. Dekker presented on how the library got to this point.
"We're existing on borrowed time," she said.
Up until recently, the library existed as a school-public library, one of only eight school-public libraries left in Michigan -- at the time. Due to Hancock Public School District's declining enrollment over the last few years, its budget shrank and could not accommodate a library with full hours, services and staff.
After months of public outcry, as well as last-ditch efforts from the City of Hancock and the Hancock Public Schools Foundation to partially fund the library thru next April, the Hancock Area District Library was formed to propose a millage in Hancock, Quincy, Franklin and Hancock Townships. The millage asks to levy the residents of Hancock and the surrounding townships .7 mills in order to raise around $180,000 per year to maintain library services and staff.
The Daily Mining Gazette was provided two handouts which explore what would happen if the millage does not pass and general statistics about the Hancock Library. Dekker said the millage would provide adequate funding to continue all current services offered.
"There's a stark contrast with the library we have today and what we'd have with a 'no' vote," she said.
A few residents asked questions, including city resident Liz Valencia, who asked what will happen if the millage does not pass. According to the provided handout, the library would revert back to a school-public. Service hours would be cut with a 'no' vote, leading to limited hours during the school day through a paraprofessional and no weekend hours without a volunteer present. Additionally, the library's extended services (the library of things, digital e-library, summer reading program, children's story time and public printing/copy) would be cut.
The library would still be open to the public if the millage does not pass. Book lending and interlibrary loan would still be offered, but in a more limited capacity due to staffing concerns.
Dekker said she owes how the library is currently run to Ashburn, who became its full-time staff member in 2018 after Portage Lake District Library was contracted by Hancock Public Schools to improve its library services. Ashburn recently was awarded UP Librarian of the Year and received grant funding in 2022 to expand services.
"Libraries need to be more than just books," she said. "They need to serve people with other things, too"
Ashburn took residents around the library and showed off its expanded services, which includes a Library of Things. Patrons can check out laser tag kits, polaroid cameras, hammocks and other re-usable items. The library also has STEM kits for children and 1,000 books before kindergarten program for younger patrons.
The statistics handout given to The Gazette showed year-to-date library patron visits increased sevenfold since 2018, from 7,022 to 49,793. Patrons also checked out 3.5 times more books in 2026 than in 2018, rom 6,886 to 23,854. Its summer reading program participation also has more than doubled since its introduction in 2019, from 107 to 229.
Dekker said she was pleased to see people come out in support of their library and to learn more about it. "People are curious about what this new library structure means for the community," she said. "We have the track record to show that we're ready to keep serving this community under the millage."
The Hancock Area District Library will host an additional information session next Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in the library.