Case Studies

Client: Bloomfield Township Public Library 

Town Hall Meetings:What is your local library worth?

Situation
In 2004, Bloomfield Township officials asked voters to approve a $22.8 million bond issue to renovate and nearly double the size of the Bloomfield Township Public Library. Pending voter approval, the loan would be repaid over 20 years at a maximum millage rate of .49. The millage was shot down in 2002. Two years later, the bond issue was again placed on the August ballot. We were contracted to implement an informative campaign to educate voters on the library expansion proposal.

Strategy
We hit the books and outlined an effective public information campaign. We assisted township and library officials in communicating to voters the issues involved and the impact a rejection would have on library services. We organized a town hall meeting at the library where a three-foot by four-foot architectural model was unveiled so voters could visualize what their library would look like. The public forum consisted of a presentation by township officials, followed by a Q & A segment where attendants could have their questions answered by the experts. 

The Result
Once voters could visualize how their dollars would be spent, they were more supportive of expanding their library. The meeting also allowed voters to talk one on one with township and library officials so they were able to get accurate information and understand how the millage works.