Grants Pass, August 22, 2025 — In response to the Josephine County Board of Commissioners’ recent vote to reinstate a “termination for convenience” clause in the Grants Pass library lease, representatives of the Josephine Community Library District and its partners will host a press conference on Tuesday, August 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the Grants Pass branch, 200 NW C Street.
Confirmed speakers include Board President Gina Marie Agosta, Vice President Rachele Selvig, Library Director Kate Lasky, Josephine Community Library Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Stoltz, and Grants Pass Friends of the Library Co-Chair Jennifer Roberts.
This press conference will give the media an opportunity to hear the full story directly from library leaders — why the library board unanimously rejected the commissioners’ amendment, what is at stake for the future of public library services, and how the library and community together are working toward stability while raising funds for a new main library building.
“Months of negotiation brought us to a fair compromise, but the last-minute amendment puts us right back where we started,” said Board Vice President Rachele Selvig. “The public deserves to understand what this means for the library and for taxpayers.”
Library leaders emphasize that no organization — and certainly not a public library serving thousands of residents — can operate responsibly under a lease that could be canceled with just 30 days’ notice.
“This is about more than one lease,” said Board President Gina Marie Agosta. “It’s about ensuring stability for public services, honoring the County Charter, and keeping faith with the community that depends on its library every day.”
All members of the press are encouraged to attend and engage in open Q&A with library leadership and partners.