By Sarah Cormier
C & G Staff Writer

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — The Harrison Township Board of Trustees is looking to capitalize on an opportunity that could possibly allow for a volunteer library in the municipality. 

At the July 28 Board of Trustees meeting, Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini told the public that he had learned that operation of the Macomb County Library will now be overseen by Wayne State University. The library, however, will be turned into a research facility, meaning that all books and electronic media are going to have to be moved to another location. 

Forlini said that a member of the Macomb County Library Board stated that they thought that Harrison Township could be a good fit for the transfer. 

“The member feels that Harrison Township may be a good candidate for taking over control of these materials, as it would give the community the start of our own library,” Forlini wrote in a letter to the township board.

Forlini said that the collection includes over 40,000 pieces, including children’s books, fiction and electronic media. Storage shelves may also be available.

Forlini added that some citizens suggested that the township’s Beaufait Hall, which is currently used to meet election needs and for residents to rent out for meetings and other events, could be a good place to start what would be a volunteer library. He said that the hall brought in only $1,600 of revenue last year and should the area be switched to accommodate a library, part of the hall could still be set aside for its former use.

Forlini said he felt that a library in the township would be a great idea.

“There are many possible benefits for obtaining these books and establishing a Harrison Township library,” he wrote.

The board voted unanimously to allow Forlini to continue to look into the matter.

“At this point, it is exploratory in nature,” said Forlini.

Resident Marge Swiatkowski, who was part of a group that failed to get a library millage to pass in the township in 2004, said that Forlini should act quickly on putting a plan into action, as she believes Wayne State University is taking over the Macomb County Library soon. 

“I don’t think that it’s something we could sit on for months,” she said.

She added that she excited about the idea and that residents should get behind the thought of a library that would be free to taxpayers.

“It would like to see this happen,” she said. “It will cost the residents of Harrison Township nothing, so we can all smile about it.”

You can reach Staff Writer Sarah Cormier at scormier@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1095.