By Robert Tomlinson
News Director
LOCKPORT TWP. — There is now officially a deal between Lockport Township and the Three Rivers Public Library.
On Monday, the township’s board voted unanimously to officially accept the library’s latest library services contract offer, and conclude negotiations between the two entities.
The offer approved by the township is a three-year contract for $20,822.16 in the first year, with 2 percent increases every year, re-negotiations after three years, and a clause that the contract can be terminated by either side by six months prior to the end of the fiscal year. It was a nearly identical offer to the township’s last offer, save for Lockport offering a 90-day termination notice.
Monday’s decision marks the final chapter in the ongoing negotiations between the two sides, which began earlier this year. Negotiation discussions were bitter and ugly at times in public view, with particularly heated discussions at the Aug. 12 board meeting of the township, however with the new agreement, both sides were able to complete a deal following the library’s counter-offer.
With the two sides coming to an agreement, Lockport Township residents will continue to be able to use the Three Rivers Public Library with a library card at no cost to them.
Township Trustee Rick Daniels, who has been leading negotiations alongside Trustee Donna Grubbs, said Monday the contract is a “win-win” for both the township and the library, recommending approval of the contract to the board.
“The important thing for us was the monies. It’s important that we able to watch our money and how we spend it in the future, especially when we do our budgets. That’s why we were adamant about the 2 percent,” Daniels said. “They basically accepted our terms of the 2 percent, which was the critical part of our involvement in this.”
One of the main sticking points in negotiations had been the financial piece, as the library originally wanted 3 percent increases from the $20,822.16, while the township wanted 2 percent increases. The library’s board relented on the 3 percent mark and went down to 2 percent with its counteroffer, approved at their board’s Aug. 27 meeting, something Daniels took notice of.
“The Three Rivers library, I give them credit, they must have did some soul-searching as well, and they agreed to live with the 2 percent,” Daniels said. “In our eyes, I believe the library and Lockport and the Lockport residents won.”
Another small sticking point was the amount of time that would be allowed for termination, but in the end, Daniels said it wasn’t a big deal. Prior to a vote, there was a small smattering of applause from those in attendance when it was announced the two sides had a deal.
Lockport Township Supervisor Mark Major gave congratulations to the trustees and the library for coming to an agreement following the vote, as well as thanked those who gave input to the township.
“We really appreciate everyone’s input. We had quite a few people speak to this. We’ve got email, I’ve gotten texts. It’s something that’s very important to our community and something we want to be a part of,” Major said.
If the two sides were unable to come to an agreement, it would have meant all Lockport residents would have to pay for a library card to use the Three Rivers Public Library, even if they have a Three Rivers address. It would’ve also been the second neighboring township to the library to have declined to fund the library in the last three years, following Park Township’s exit in 2021.
In a statement to the Commercial-News Tuesday, Three Rivers Public Library Interim Director Erin Zabonick said while the process had its challenges, she was glad an agreement was reached.
“We’re glad an agreement has been reached and appreciate the township’s commitment to supporting our library. We look forward to moving forward for the benefit of our community,” Zabonick said. “I am incredibly thankful for our patrons, whose continued support and love for our library make everything we do possible. Their dedication to learning, community, and growth inspires us to continually improve and provide the best resources and services. Libraries are invaluable pillars of the community, offering access to knowledge, resources, and a safe space for everyone. They inspire lifelong learning, foster creativity, and connect people from all walks of life. The support of a strong library helps strengthen the fabric of our community and ensures a brighter future for generations to come.”
Robert Tomlinson can be reached at 279-7488 or robert@wilcoxnewspapers.com.
