Ionia Library gets funding for accessibility projects after millage fails

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IONIA, Michigan — Accessibility is about making sure people can get in the door.

For a Michigan library, that definition is pretty literal.

“We’re literally operating out of a 153-year-old Victorian home,” says Dale Perpus, director of the Ionia Community Library. “The doors are probably native to the place. So while they’re beautiful, they’re not functional for what we need as a public facility.”

Courtesy of Dale Perus

The library has been sharing stories with the Ionian community for nearly 20 years and has made multiple attempts to raise funds through thousandths and move the library out of the Hall-Fowler home to a more reliable building. Once in 2018 and twice in 2022, the millage failed.

Perpus says the library hasn’t given up hope of a transplant yet. But in the meantime, they are focusing on making the current building accessible to all.

This week, the Ionia Community Library announced a $20,000 grant from the American Library Association, with a special emphasis on enabling small, rural communities to improve facilities and increase access for those with disabilities.

“It’s just a basic dignity, being able to get someone who’s disabled to use the entire facility,” says Perpus, who takes the feature personally.

His brother-in-law used an amigo scooter for 20 years and could not visit the library, Perpus’ workplace. He said another woman, who wanted to join the library’s knitting group, found the building too difficult to navigate.

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“We know we pushed people away. And it’s not fair,” says Perpus. “I am very confident that we will be able to change that.”

Ports are first on the list. With a handful of fixes, like adding push buttons and switching from swing doors to sliding doors, it will make it much easier for people to get into the building.

The elevators could also be modernized. “It was well-intentioned in 1989 or so when it was inducted. But it was with the thought that one person would accompany another disabled person. And that’s not the way we think we should be. We want to make sure that the disabled person with a disability is able to take care of himself”.

Additionally, the library hopes to update the bathrooms to meet ADA guidelines, install automatic water fountains, and spruce up a spiral staircase that poses a hazard to children and the elderly, as well as those with mobility issues.

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The $20,000 grant is just one of many funding opportunities the library has pursued to upgrade its space. Twice in the past year, the Ionia Community Library has tried to rally voters around a millage and raise enough funds to move the library downtown to the old Mercantile Bank building, which was donated to the library two years ago but still needs renovation.

Voters rejected the millage both times.

“Those two grades that really were so close it hurt,” recalls Perpus.

Thankfully, she says the library team is resilient and has moved on to a new plan. “We got over it and said, you know, it’s time to do our job and let’s do it. That’s why we’re doing all these grants, whether they’re small for the current building or multimillion-dollars for the bigger dream down the road.

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That dream is still on the table. But for now, the Ionia Community Library is committed to making the current building better for everyone.

“Keep your eyes on the Ionia Community Library,” Perpus said. “And eventually we’ll be able to move into that building and do our jobs even better. This is just what I want to say to FOX 17 and the entire Ionian community.

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Afterwards, the library will hold meetings with residents, especially those with special needs, to gather suggestions on how to refine the building and increase accessibility.

For more information on the Ionia Community Library, visit the website Here.

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