Dan LaLone
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Dan LaLone – Staff outside the library. (Left to right (front) – Bryonna Barton, Director, Emmy Datema, Raynah Kidder (Back) Jeremy Leik, IT)

The Eaton Rapids Area District Library is proposing a $6.55 million bond to fund essential renovations to its historic building, which dates back to the late 1800s. Serving Hamlin Township, Eaton Rapids Township, and the City of Eaton Rapids, the library has not seen major structural updates since the 1960s, leaving it with significant safety, accessibility, and space challenges.

“This project is about ensuring the library can continue to serve the community for generations to come,” said Bryonna Barton, the library’s director. “We’re committed to creating a safe, modern library that can better meet the needs of our patrons.”

Key issues the bond will address include fire hazards, outdated mechanical systems, and structural deficiencies. One of the most significant improvements will be the installation of an elevator, making the library ADA-compliant and accessible to all patrons. The renovation will also expand meeting spaces, improve technology, and create more room for books and programs.

The bond proposal comes at a time of increasing demand for services. Local organizations, including the Eaton Rapids Chamber of Commerce, are looking for larger meeting spaces, and the library is struggling to keep up with requests. “We get one to two calls per week asking for meeting space, but we simply don’t have the room,” Barton said. “The Chamber has outgrown its current meeting space at Black Dog Coffee and would love to use the library, but we just don’t have the space to offer.”

In addition to space concerns, the library is short four staff positions but lacks the room to accommodate them. “Even if we could fill these positions, there’s no space for them to work,” Barton said. The current staff break room also serves as an office, storage area, and IT server room, while the staff restroom doubles as a cleaning closet. Limited space also forces the library to weed out books after only one year of inactivity, compared to the typical five-year guideline used by most libraries.

The bond would cost local taxpayers approximately $54 per year on a $60,000 taxable value. Barton emphasized that the stable funding provided by the bond would allow the library to qualify for grants, which could help pay off the bond more quickly. “Right now, we can’t apply for grants because of our unstable funding,” Barton said. “This bond would open the door to more financial opportunities, easing the tax burden on residents.”

If the bond does not pass, the cost of renovation is projected to increase, with construction costs rising 5-7% annually. By 2030, the project could cost as much as $10 million. “Delaying the renovation will only make it more expensive,” Barton said. “Acting now is the most responsible financial decision for our community.”

During the year-long renovation, the library will temporarily relocate, though a new location has not yet been determined.
“We want the community to fully understand our challenges and what this bond will mean for the future,” Barton said. “This is a long-term investment in the safety and functionality of the library.”

For more information on the renovation plans and bond proposal, visit the library’s website at https://eradl.org/building-project-2/