Commerce Township Historical First: A New Library

For the first time in the Township’s history, residents of Commerce Township now have their own library.

The new Commerce Township Community Library, located at the El Dorado Clubhouse, currently offers residents approximately 14,000 square feet of library service and allows for future expansion to 25,000 or 30,000 square feet. The library has a wonderful natural setting that fits with the Township’s many lakes.

The library includes a sizeable technology section. Twenty-five computers are available for Internet access, software applications and other digital resources. Five of those computers are reserved for young adults and four are reserved for children’s usage. The new library offers two outdoor patios for reading and enjoying sweeping views of the golf course, a drive-up book and video drop box which is accessible 24 hours a day, and a collection of audio books, CDs and DVDs that will grow based on the interests of library members. Interactive activities are also available for children under six, including a children’s activity room with a number of “stations” involving shape, touch, color and movement themes. The activities are designed to nurture an excitement for learning using a well-rounded approach.

The idea for a new library has been in the works for many years in Commerce Township. Voters passed a .3 millage increase in 1992 to establish a building fund to form a new Township library. In 2004, voters passed an additional .7 mills to begin the process of creating a library.

“It’s been the Township’s goal to provide our residents with a library and to have our own library services,” said Eric Suess, library director for Commerce Township. “We’re excited that the project is finally a reality.”

Prior to the new library, Commerce Township residents had to go beyond Township borders for library access. The Township paid for and used the library services of Milford, Walled Lake and West Bloomfield for several years. In 2004, Milford cancelled its contract with Commerce, leaving Walled Lake and West Bloomfield as the Township’s library service providers.

Residents can visit the library site, located at the El Dorado Clubhouse facility on Pontiac Trail. Last year, the DDA offered the Township use of the Clubhouse, including more than 14,000 square feet of floor space. The site also features floor to ceiling windows with sweeping views of the golf course. The library has books both in print and on CD, music CDs, DVDs, and Internet and database access.

The expansion of the library may begin in 10–24 months, depending on the needs of the community.