Unless you’ve visited the Grants Pass library recently, you may not be aware that the demand for services has outgrown the capabilities of the current building on C Street behind the courthouse. In fact, the facility has not been updated since the county built it in 1959. With aging infrastructure, such as outdated electrical wiring, a leaking roof, and troublesome plumbing in staff and patron bathrooms, it’s time for a change.
After years of planning, dreaming, and keeping libraries open and operating in Josephine County, our community is about to take the next big step toward building a new state-of-the-art library in downtown Grants Pass.
I’m thrilled to announce that library leaders from both the foundation and the district have selected the final concept for a new building located in River City square between Sixth and Seventh streets and J and K streets. The library foundation purchased this full city block in 2023, thanks to contributions from individual donors and foundation grants.
Early concept designs for the new library location include expanded children and teen spaces, meeting rooms, and an outdoor community space. The new library is envisioned as a community center that will help revitalize that section of downtown, expanding the reach of our main street to the Rogue River. It will be a space accessible to all residents and is expected to stimulate significant positive change and economic growth in the area.
This past summer, the library foundation hosted a series of eight community listening sessions to get input on the construction and design of a new downtown Grants Pass library. Facilitated by ZCS Engineering & Architecture contracted by the foundation, these meetings offered an opportunity for residents to share their thoughts on the future library and complete a survey.
The majority of survey respondents (63 percent) selected Concept A (pictured) — a single-story 22,000-square-foot design that features a secure outdoor courtyard that allows for easy public access from Sixth Street.
Most respondents supported future expansion possibilities, including a second floor. They also agreed that the library needs a larger community meeting space and liked the idea of adding a secure courtyard for community programs.
Although respondents strongly preferred completing the project as quickly as possible, they also supported a phased approach to allow portions of the project to be finished as funding becomes available.
On September 8, the library district and foundation held a joint board session with 25 library leaders, who reviewed survey results to make a final selection. Among their considerations were budget constraints, staffing limitations, funding challenges, and immediate versus long-term needs.
Although library leaders and community members have ambitious ideas for the future, such enhancements will likely come only after the library is up and running in the new building. Balancing current resources with the community’s vision for future growth will take careful planning and dedicated investment to construct a beautiful, new space for all to enjoy.
After careful deliberation, leadership unanimously confirmed the community’s choice of Concept A — a single-floor, U-shaped library featuring a secure courtyard facing Sixth Street. This design’s phased approach meets for fundraising and construction timelines, allows for the highest level of accessibility for people with disabilities, and secures the outdoor courtyard. At a rough early estimate of $26 million, it is also the least costly.
I’m excited to take this next major step in the development of a new library in downtown Grants Pass. We have accomplished so much as a community — most recently, building a new library in Williams and renovating the Illinois Valley branch. Given these tremendous achievements, I’m convinced there’s nothing we cannot do together.
With the property secured and the design concept selected, we are already on our way to begin site preparation, having secured a grant from the State of Oregon’s Cultural Resource Economic Fund for $425,000 and an anonymous donation through Oregon Community Foundation for $500,000. Looking forward, we will continue to raise funds and seek grants, launching each phase of the project in a way that keeps community services running smoothly and fosters the growing needs of our patrons.
Between the Pages is a monthly column written by Kate Lasky, library director for Josephine Community Library since 2009. To send comments or questions, email klasky@josephinelibrary.org.
BY KATE LASKY
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GRANTS PASS DAILY COURIER | September 2024