“A+ Services in a D- Building”: Troy Public Library’s Strategic Leap Forward

When Emily Dumas stepped into her role as Director of the Troy Public Library in February 2021, she found herself in charge of a beloved and bustling suburban library — one that had, like many others, endured the disruptions of a pandemic and was now facing the steep costs of much-needed renovations. In a city of 88,000 residents just outside Detroit, known for its diversity and academic excellence, the library wasn’t just a nice-to-have. It was the place.

“I’ve never worked anywhere that the community felt so strongly about the library,” Dumas told us. “It’s the busiest recreational service in the city.”

With no study rooms, every table is in use daily, and power is at a premium.

And yet, behind the scenes, the physical infrastructure was telling a different story. Tight quarters, outdated systems, and growing post-COVID construction costs created a pressing dilemma: could they stretch their current millage to cover renovations, or would they need to ask voters for more support?

Staff workspace is tight: desks are squeezed together.

That’s when Troy Public Library brought in ReThinking Libraries (RTL) in April 2023 — a move Dumas credits with shaping a clear path forward.

Community at the Center

From day one, Dumas felt that RTL was the right fit. “They came in with national library data for benchmarking, but what really stood out was their library-specific expertise and their deep focus on community input,” she said.

RTL’s approach was layered and inclusive. In addition to a citywide survey — which turned out to have the highest per-capita return rate RTL had ever seen — they conducted targeted focus groups with teens, local businesses, international language communities, staff, and the Friends of the Library. They even set up a passive engagement board at a community center where residents could vote on priorities using stickers.

RTL also convened a stakeholder group that included city staff, school board members, and community organization leaders. This group met multiple times to hone in on shared priorities.

For Dumas, that kind of engagement wasn’t just box-checking — it was essential. “They listened deeply. They got to the heart of what the community wanted and needed.”

Clarity from an Outside Perspective

Troy Public Library had long been looking at renovations, but RTL’s final strategic plan didn’t hedge or sidestep the reality.

“It was not a cookie-cutter plan like I’ve seen before,” Dumas said. “It said: Before you touch anything else, you need to fix your building issues. You need either a highly-renovated building or a new one.”

That recommendation was a turning point. While staff and leadership had long known the building was inadequate, having a third party name it plainly carried weight — with the city, with stakeholders, and with the public.

In a quote that resonated with both Dumas and the mayor of Troy, RTL summarized the situation this way:

“Troy Public Library has been providing A+ services in a D- building.”

“That quote captured everything,” Dumas said. “The staff does incredible work in a space that just doesn’t support it. I can’t wait to see what they can do in a building actually designed for the services we provide.”

Building Toward the Future

The library is now working with HBM Architects to design a new facility, with a schematic design and cost estimates ready soon. The city is planning to go to referendum in November 2025 with a bond proposal that includes a modest millage increase to fund construction. While the bond will also support other city projects like roadwork, the library is the heart of the proposal.

As a government entity, the library can’t campaign for the bond, but they can provide information — and they’re doing just that. Community information sessions are ongoing, and interest is high. The library is also doing a fabulous job of keeping the public updated on their website, sharing slides of planning meetings and architectural presentations.  https://troypl.org/information/learn/looking_at_a_new_library.php In addition, they continue to do walking tours to show firsthand these building issues.

Should the bond pass, design development would take about 18 months, with a potential groundbreaking in spring 2027. Construction is expected to take another 12–18 months.

The proposed location — a plot next to the community recreation center — keeps the library on Troy’s civic campus, where it's centrally located among city hall, the rec center, and other services. That was important to the community, Dumas emphasized. “The focus groups were really clear — people wanted us to stay right here.”

The new site also offers a design opportunity that reflects Troy’s environmental values: incorporating the existing wetlands into the library’s layout and landscaping.

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future

Although the current building has limitations, it’s still cherished by many in the community. Rather than tear it down, the city is exploring ways to repurpose the structure for other civic uses — a solution that honors both history and progress.

Through all of this, Dumas is energized by what’s ahead. “This community deserves a library that matches the caliber of our services,” she said. “Our staff is already doing amazing things in the space we have. A new facility will let us truly reach our full potential.”

Troy Public Library’s story is a powerful example of how strategic planning — when grounded in genuine community engagement and paired with honest assessment — can lead to transformational change. And it’s a reminder that libraries, even ones that are already much loved, can always evolve to serve even better.

As we all consider the future of our own libraries, Troy offers both inspiration and a blueprint: Start with the people, listen well, and don’t be afraid to name the hard truths. The path forward might just be clearer than you think.