Editorial: VBT board members donate $1,000 to library

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Belleville Area District Library Board, Van Buren Township Trustee Reggie Miller gave board members a gift that thrilled them.
Trustee Miller spoke under the “Public Comments” part of the agenda, presenting an envelope with more than $1,000 in checks and cash from VBT board members who dug into their own pockets.
“No taxpayer funds were used,” Miller stressed.
She said township board members donated their own money to total the $1,000 threshold amount to be on the Donor Wall and they designated the funds for restoration of amenities.
The library board had cut some of the library amenities when it found it was over budget on construction of the new building. Since then, private donations have restored some of the amenities.
District Library Board Chairman Sharon Peters said she will use this donation to challenge other organizations to join in donating. She said VBT will get recognition on the Donor Wall and she is very happy for its support.
“This is one of the best Public Comments we’ve ever had around here,” she said referring to the place on the agenda Miller made her presentation.
Peters said the goal was $400,000 in donations to restore library amenities and they have about $210,000 so far. That was a great gesture by township board members to help their new library.