Collaboration benefits library and residents

Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library has long been a jewel in the center of the city. It was first established in 1907, through a city referendum, following the formation of the library association in 1869 by Martha Baldwin and 19 others, with 48 volumes. In 1871, the First Methodist Church was purchased on the northwest corner of Bates and Merrill streets, and by 1879 they had 724 books.

The cornerstone of the current building was laid in 1927.

Today, Baldwin Public Library has grown both physically, having recently seen three successful renovations and expansions, as well as masterfully adapting to changing technology without forgetting its original mandate as a literary association. Recently, Baldwin Library Director Rebeka Craft – clearly following in the footsteps of the library's namesake, Martha Baldwin – was honored to be named Librarian of the Year from the Michigan Library Association. An honored legacy, indeed.

Craft has been the director of Baldwin Public Library since January 2021, after serving as the associate direct since July 2015. She had previously been with the Rochester Hills Public Library.

Craft was nominated for the Michigan Library Association's annual award for her work this past year securing an agreement with Birmingham city officials that Baldwin Public Library was independent from the city itself – an issue that had previously been unresolved.

The library's independence, and it's ability to set its own millage rate, had been a bone of contention for both the library board and city commissioners. The issue of the millage rate became a topic of debate following a suggestion by the city manager at a March 2025 city commission meeting that if the library would lower its millage rate in the future, then it could eliminate most of the overall increase in local tax bills to underwrite a proposed bond that, at the time, was thought to be placed on the November ballot for construction of a community and senior center. Library officials at the meeting objected to the proposal, arguing that the city was treating the library as a department of the city rather than an independent library.

In future meetings between the city commission and Craft, the city argued that the library operates by city charter, meaning they set the millage and determine if it can be raised or lowered. However the library claimed it is an independent entity from the city, based on state law, Public Act 164 (10a), which gives autonomy, including funding autonomy, to the library. There is also legal precedent establishing that state law supersedes city charter provisions.

Further, previous commissions deferred to the library board in setting – notably lowering – millage rates, often at the recommendation of those city commissions.

We join others in applauding Craft on her accolades – and on standing firm in her mission for continuing the library's independence, which we believe Martha Baldwin would approve. We also support long time library board member Frank Pisano's suggestion in his response to our candidate questionnaire in the last election when we asked all candidates what should be done if the library fund balance cap was reached. Pisano recommended that the Baldwin Library Board should be a collaborative city body and lower its millage as a community service, noting that while there are always projects to spend on, that is not always in the best interest of Birmingham's residents as a whole.

Keep Baldwin Library independent, but remember it is one spoke in the wheel that allows Birmingham to successfully provide for its residents, businesses and visitors.