Letter the Editor-Library Access Loss Acutely Felt in Redding Township

To the Editor,

I am writing to express deep concern regarding the loss of Marion Public Library privileges for residents of Redding Township. Due to rising fees, our community’s only remaining option to access these vital resources is a non-resident fee of $60 per person, $90 annually per family.

Redding Township is part of Clare County, which remains one of the poorest areas in Michigan, with a poverty rate of 21.1%, nearly double the state average. For many of our families, $60 per person is not just a “fee” – it is a barrier that effectively bars our children from educational materials and our seniors from community connection.

Libraries are a lifeline, not a luxury. By pricing out their neighbors in one of the state’s most economically challenged regions, we are deepening the divide between those who can afford information and those who cannot. I urge the Redding Township Board and the Marion Public Library to return to the negotiating table to find a sustainable, fair solution that restores access for all residents.

Jane Domke

Harrison