Rockford citizens have given a new chapter to the Krause Memorial Library by approving a $5.7 million bond measure to finance a significant expansion. The millage, which passed with a 64.6% majority, will see the average homeowner contributing $115 annually in support of the library that has long been in need of an update, according to WOODTV.
The expansive library redesign plan features enhancements like upgraded accessibility to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and new community hubs, including an expanded children's room and outdoor programming spaces, however, obtaining these modifications has been a complex journey, Rockford struggled initially to gather the necessary funding and even pondered parting ways with the Kent District Library system, but city officials were steadfast in enhancing the institution's standing within the KDL and the community involved, as City Manager Thad Beard told WZZM13, "It has been over 30 years since we expanded the library at all. It is in need of some love."
To break ground in fall 2025, the project's completion is slated for the end of 2026, to fulfill the condition of retaining a $2 million portion of funding provided by Kent County, the construction schedule commits to a timely and calculated progression, MLive reported. The revamped library will cater to the area's anticipated population growth, providing various specialized spaces such as study rooms, a quiet reading area, and a courtyard among other resources.