Detroit Library Commission Expected To Vote On Re-Opening Of Monteith Branch

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Library Commission is calling on Governor Rick Snyder and the Michigan Legislature to restore funding to the Detroit Public Library in light of the reported half -billion dollar surplus discovered in Lansing.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Florence Walton reports the Library Commission is also calling on the state for help.

Library Commissioner Russ Belant says state support to DPL has been about $5 million annually for the last several years, until last year when it stopped completely. The Library Commission closed four branch libraries in December, and reduced its staff by 20% - due in part by the state funding cuts.

The Detroit Library Commission is expected to vote Tuesday afternoon to re-open the Monteith Branch library that was closed in December along with three other branches due to budget problems.