Ferndale Public Library Taps Blowout to Raise Funds

The Ferndale Public Library will be transformed into a music venue serving up cold beers this week during the 2013 Metro Times Blowout.

The library's Board of Trustees received a temporary liquor license from the city, which will allow it to sell a variety of draft beers during the event as a fundraiser, library Director Jessica Keyser said.

[Click here to read more about the 2013 Metro Times Blowout!]

All library shows will be 18 and older, but volunteers will check wristbands to ensure only those 21 and older purchase or consume beer during the fundraiser, she said. The Metro Times will supply one security guard to man the door; if the other entrance also is opened, the library will staff it with a volunteer, Keyser said.

All shows will be held in the Community Room after regular hours, she added.

"We're looking at the Blowout as another way for (the Friends of the Ferndale Library) group to raise funds," she said. "We're looking at a pretty steep decline in revenue the next few years due to a variety of reasons including a loss of personal property tax, which is something our Legislature did in the last session and property values continue to decline in the city."

The library is projected to have lost approximately $285,000 in revenue between 2009 and 2014, Keyser said.

"We are expecting to receive $1,030,800 next year," she said. "Our revenue in 2009 was $1,316,763.71, and it has steadily declined every year since.

"We have a dedicated millage just for the library, which accounts for about 90 percent of our revenue. None of our funding comes from the city's budget," Keyser said. "The millage comes directly from property taxes. So, when home values decline, our revenues go with them. The other ten percent is comprised of state aid, penal fines, grants and fundraising, overdue fines and any fees we charge for services."

Keyser said that even as revenue has shrunk, usage and demand for library services has grown.

"We're looking for ways to save money and bring in revenue any way we can because we don't want to cut hours or services," she said.

Thursday, May 2

• 9:20 p.m.: Satori Circus
• 10 p.m.: The Bell Beat
• 11 p.m.: Jesus Chainsaw Massacre

Friday, May 3

• 9:20 p.m.: Phantom Cats
• 10 p.m.: Pewter Cub
• 11 p.m.: Pupils

Saturday, May 4

• 9:20 p.m.: Odd Hours
• 10 p.m.: Rogue Satellites
• 11 p.m.: Future Slang