Michigan library’s millage fails after group campaigned to remove LGBTQ material

JAMESTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A western Michigan library confronted an unsure future Thursday after a flap over LGBTQ materials on its cabinets led to the failure of the renewal of a property tax millage that funds most of its funds.

The Patmos Library in Jamestown Township outdoors Grand Rapids will lose 84% of its $245,000 annual funds with the failure of the millage renewal in Tuesday’s main election, stated Larry Walton, the library board’s president. The millage failed with 1,905 no votes to 1,142 sure votes.

A small group of conservative residents campaigned in opposition to the renewal as a result of the library refused to take away all LGBTQ materials, Walton stated in a phone interview with The Related Press.

“They’re protesting all LGBTQ books which are on our cabinets,” Walton stated. They need it to ban books, he stated, “which is unacceptable.”

“We, the board, is not going to ban the books,” Walton stated.

Cody Newhouse, who voted in opposition to the millage, informed WOOD-TV that even when books are positioned within the grownup part of the library, kids nonetheless can entry them.

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“It’s solely the LGBTQ stuff that bothers me, with my children specifically,” Newhouse stated. “Should you’re older, make your individual choice, that’s completely wonderful. However with the youthful children, I simply consider it must be away from them.”

Walton stated he is undecided when the millage {dollars} will dry up. He stated the board wants to take a look at its revenue and bills and take into account its future strikes, together with searching for a brand new millage in a future election.

“I’m optimistic that we are going to work by way of the hurdle the conservative group has thrown our method,” he stated.