Illustration with green plants sprouting above the word Transformed, orange bricks in the center, and Eaton Rapids Area District Library with an open book at the bottom. Background resembles a white brick wall.

Eaton Rapids Area District Library Proudly Serves:
Eaton Rapids Township, Hamlin Township, and the City of Eaton Rapids

Our library is a beloved part of Eaton Rapids’ historic downtown, and we are excited to share our plans to preserve and renovate the building. Here’s how you can support this initiative.

Here’s a chart to break down the commitment levels needed to raise $7,000,000 in one year, showing the number of people, their annual commitment amount, and the equivalent monthly amount:

Number of PeopleAnnual Commitment per PersonMonthly Commitment per Person
25,000$280$23.33
15,000$467$38.92
10,000$700$58.33
5,000$1,400$116.67
1,000$7,000$583.33
500$14,000$1,166.67
100$70,000$5,833.33
50$140,000$11,666.67
10$700,000$58.333.33
Transparent Transformed logo with plant icons and bricks overlaid on library building facade. Text reads: Eaton Rapids Area District Library - Your legacy, our story! Leave your mark on the future...support the library and help build a stronger community.

Legacy Opportunity

Eaton Rapids Area District Library is embarking on a transformative renovation, expanding our space from 5,380 to 10,760 square feet. This project will enhance our ability to serve the community with more books, technology, study areas, and program spaces for the next 75-100 years.
Support our vision by contributing to the Library Building Fund. Donations of $1,000 or more will be recognized on our donor wall. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be made over three years.
Learn more

Additional Information

FYE 2024-2025 Budget
2024 Audit
ERADL-Construction-Budget

Annual Report 2023-2024

The library is a key community space, but our building needs significant updates to remain functional and meet modern needs. This renovation will help us preserve our historic library while making necessary upgrades for accessibility, safety, and expanded services. Our goal is to honor the past while creating a library that will serve future generations.

Libraries have strict legal parameters around fundraising, which makes it difficult to raise large amounts quickly. Our Friends of the Library group handles fundraising efforts, but even with their help, raising the millions needed for a renovation is not feasible. Additionally, most grants are for programming or operational costs, not large-scale capital projects. A bond provides stable funding, allowing us to apply for capital project grants that could pay off the loan early.

Since the bond doesn’t pass, the next opportunity to propose it would be in 2030. By then, construction costs will have significantly increased, making the renovation more expensive. Additionally, the building will continue to age, potentially requiring more extensive repairs in the future.

Support the Eaton Rapids Area District Library’s Capital Campaign! Donations can be made online, in cash, or by check. Please note: online donations are subject to processing fees.

For cash or check donations, include “Capital Campaign Fund” in the memo line or attach a letter stating the donation’s purpose. If donating toward a specific room or item for recognition, please specify to ensure proper acknowledgment.

All donations are tax-deductible; consult your accountant for potential benefits. Thank you for helping us build a brighter future!

A room with a green-and-beige checkered tile floor, showing a tangled orange extension cord and a blue cable. The wall is peeling and worn. Part of a white appliance is visible in the corner.
A bare light bulb hangs from the ceiling in a narrow stairwell, with exposed wires and a partially detached fixture. The walls and ceiling are painted pale green, and a window at the bottom of the stairs lets in natural light.
Interior of a library with shelves of books, computer stations, and a service desk. A sign with information stands near the entrance, and there are tables and chairs arranged throughout the space. Ceiling lights illuminate the area.
A bright library interior with bookshelves filled with colorful books. There are several computer stations with chairs and a table with chairs in the center. Large windows let in natural light, and a mural decorates one wall.
Interior of a library with bookshelves filled with books, a seating area with red chairs and a wooden table, and computer stations. The room is well-lit with large windows and has a colorful mural on one wall.
A spacious library interior featuring bookshelves, several seating areas with tables and chairs, and a carpeted floor. Natural light streams in from large windows in the background.
A cluttered office space filled with desks, shelves, and various office supplies. Boxes and papers are stacked on shelving units and tables. A printer is visible in the foreground, and fluorescent lights illuminate the room.
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A dimly lit, carpeted staircase with green walls and wooden railings on both sides. The staircase leads upward towards a brighter, open room at the top. A single bulb on the ceiling illuminates the narrow space.
A cluttered office space filled with boxes, electronics, and various supplies. Shelves and tables are stacked with items, and there are office chairs, printers, and papers throughout the room. The ceiling has fluorescent lights.
A cluttered room with wooden shelves filled with books and boxes. A doorway leads to another room. Papers and frames are scattered on the floor, and a stack of boxes sits on the counter. The room is lit by sunlight from a window.
A cluttered room with scattered furniture, boxes, and a decorated artificial Christmas tree. Cardboard cutouts and assorted items are on the floor, and several tables and chairs are arranged in the open space. Ceiling lights illuminate the area.
An empty room with a wooden stool on the left and a doorway leading to another room featuring a water heater. The floor has blue and white checkered tiles, and a power cord runs between the rooms. Walls are white, with some paint peeling.
A ceiling with several water-damaged tiles showing dark, irregular stains. One tile is missing, revealing the space above. The surrounding tiles also display signs of discoloration and wear.
A large, vacant room with a few furniture pieces, including a wooden counter, scattered boxes, and a small artificial tree. The ceiling has missing tiles, and the floor is bare with visible wear. The space appears dimly lit and under renovation.
Interior of a room with wooden cabinets and a checkered tile floor. Several empty black and transparent display racks are placed in the center. The lighting is fluorescent, and theres a visible ceiling panel in need of repair.
An old, empty kitchen with green walls, wooden cabinets, and a tiled floor. A large window lets in natural light. Various cleaning supplies are scattered around, including a mop and broom.
A small, aged kitchen with mint green walls and checkered floor tiles. The room features a water heater with exposed pipes, an old wooden cabinet, a sink, and a window. There are power cords on the floor and visible damage near the window.
A spacious kitchen with a large island in the center, surrounded by wooden cabinets and checkered flooring. Shelving units are on the left, and several cardboard boxes are on the countertop. The walls are painted light green.
A dimly lit hallway with wooden cabinets on the left and a small sink area visible through an open door. Two small chairs are placed in front of the cabinets. The hallway leads to a brightly lit room at the end.
A dimly lit, empty hallway with a tiled floor and plain white walls. Two open doors are on the left, and at the end of the hall, two chairs are placed against a wooden panel. The scene appears to be in an unfinished or rundown building.
An empty room with wooden floors and large windows letting in sunlight. There are scattered items on the floor, including a blue tarp, some boxes, and a bouquet of flowers. Beige curtains frame the windows.
A large, empty room with wooden flooring, scattered boxes, and a pile of decorations in the corner. The walls are beige, and there are a few doorways. A small shelf is visible on the left side. The room appears to be in disarray.
An ornate, vintage chandelier with a decorative metal chain and a glass, textured globe hangs from a white ceiling. The design features intricate details and a warm, antique finish. Neutral-colored curtains and walls are visible in the background.
A decorative vent cover with an intricate scroll pattern is mounted on a ceiling with visible water damage and staining. The surrounding tiles are discolored with brownish patches.
A cluttered, dim kitchen with a long counter, brown cabinets, and a double sink. A red broom leans against the counter. The floor has a green and black checkered pattern, and the walls are pale green. Various cleaning supplies are scattered around.
A cluttered kitchen sink area with cleaning supplies, including a red mop handle, hand soap, and a paint roller. Metal pipes and a can are also on the countertop. The setting looks worn and in need of cleaning.
A room with a vintage ceiling light, two large windows with floral curtains, and various items on a table, including a box and papers. Natural light streams in from the windows, creating a bright atmosphere.
A room with a brick fireplace, an electric heater in front, and a wall with a small round object above an X. To the left, a shelf holds stacks of files in yellow and blue folders. A window with curtains allows light in from the right.