The Hancock Area District Library has established a special project fund with the Keweenaw Community Foundation to support its upcoming millage vote in November. The fund will cover legal, communication and startup costs associated with the ballot initiative.
The millage question will appear on ballots for residents of the City of Hancock and those living in Hancock, Franklin and Quincy townships. If voters approve a 0.7 millage in November, the HADL will gain dedicated funding to expand library services significantly.
Approved millage funds would support library employees staffed beyond school hours and the school day, purchase new materials, add an interlibrary loan program, expand digital and audio resources, and create programming such as storytime, 100 Books Before Kindergarten and a summer reading program.
The millage question addresses a critical transition for the community. Previously, library services provided to Hancock Public Schools students and the wider community were supported through the Portage Lake District Library. In summer, the district library and school district agreed to a nine-month contract ending in March 2027.
“The millage question will ask voters if the community will wish to continue funding these services beyond the end of the contract,” according to library officials.
If the millage fails, the library will revert to operating solely as a school public library, funded by the local school district with reduced services and limited hours. Remaining funds from the special project fund will be donated to Hancock Public Schools for library operations.
The HADL seeks to raise $10,000 to support legal and administrative costs associated with placing the millage question on the November 2026 ballot. When city and school leaders agreed to create a district library in summer, they enlisted Anne Seurnyck, an attorney specializing in Michigan Library Law and a member of the Board of the Library of Michigan Foundation.
The fund will also support educational materials to inform residents about the millage issue, ensuring voters have comprehensive information before casting their ballots.
The initiative reflects the community’s commitment to maintaining robust library services. Library officials emphasize that the millage represents an investment in educational resources, programming and community access to information for residents of all ages.
Find more details about the Hancock Area District Library and the November millage vote here.
