Projects and Programs

The Center for Rural and Local Government Studies at Northern Michigan University, created in 2007-08, is developing new projects and programs that study and enhance living in the Upper Peninsula through the combined efforts of local government, non-profit and private sectors. As the center implements these programs, they will be described here.

Current Project

Western Marquette County District Library Survey

In the late summer 2007, Northern Michigan University was approached to conduct research and assess the potential interest in forming a district library in the 10 western municipalities and townships of Marquette County in Upper Michigan. Open forums were held in the fall of 2007 to determine the public’s satisfaction with their library services and accurately gauge interest and feasibility of a district library. Surveys were distributed in March 2008. The results are expected to be tabulated by mid-May 2008. The results will be provided to each of the 10 municipalities and townships, as well as other stakeholders, in order to determine whether or not enough interest exists to continue the pursuit of starting a district library. The research project is being conducted by professor Steven Nelson and student Rachel Rutherford of NMU’s Political Science and Public Administration Department.