Ironwood Township, Carnegie Library part ways

Dear Editor:

It is with great sorrow that the board writes to inform your readers that the Charter Township of Ironwood has chosen to terminate library services with the Ironwood Carnegie Library for its residents.

In previous years, the township contracted with the Ironwood Carnegie Library for a fee of $16,500. This past year, the library agreed to a contract for significantly less money ($2,303) to ensure library services for township residents.

The library services contract indicated the township could recommend a person to the library board. The township chose a person who had publicly stated his desire for the library to close. The library stated its concerns to the township supervisor and asked for more time to find someone better suited to the library board.

The library board also asked for a joint meeting at Gogebic Community College to discuss this issue. The township rejected both requests. The library board has left the position open in the hope that the two boards could resolve this issue, however the township board insists on terminating the services to its residents.

Moreover, despite having served the residents the full fiscal year, the township has insisted that the library should not receive necessary funds called penal fines that are collected by the county. In fact, the township contacted the state to prevent the library from receiving these funds, which amount to around $15,000.

Because the township board no longer desires services from the library and has worked to prevent funding, the library can no longer provide services to residents of the Charter Township of Ironwood without a fee. Effective Sept. 8, township residents will be asked to pay the non-resident fee of $60 per year per family for a library card.

Questions about this issue may be addressed to Elaine Erickson, library director, 906-932-4789.

We have been honored to serve the Charter Township of Ironwood.

Patti Jahn

Board President

Ironwood Carnegie Library