Grants Pass, May 7, 2025 — The Josephine Community Library District (JCLD) is once again calling on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to renew the lease for the Grants Pass library building at 200 NW C Street, the library’s home since 1959. In a formal letter sent May 5, the district reiterated its request for a five-year extension at $1 per year — identical to the terms submitted to the board on March 25.
In the letter, delivered by the district’s legal counsel, JCLD reiterated that this modest lease renewal would satisfy the County’s mandate under Section 14.5 of the County Charter to support and maintain the main library and its branches.
“The Charter mandates that the County provide support for the main library,” said attorney Mark Bartholomew. “That obligation applies to the Library District just as much when as it did when the library was a county department.”
At yesterday’s administrative session, the Board of Commissioners voted to authorize Commissioner Chris Barnett to negotiate directly with the library district. The district is hopeful that this step will help move the lease renewal forward and bring an end to this unnecessary and unfair saga.
The County previously voted to terminate the lease on January 6 with 30 days’ notice and has since failed to respond substantively or engage in direct negotiations. Instead, it has cited internal uncertainty and the potential sale of unrelated property as reasons for delay.
The Grants Pass library building at 200 NW C Street has served the community since 1959 and remains essential while the district raises funds for a new facility. The library has invested more than $500,000 in capital improvements to maintain the building since it was defunded by the County.
“We’re urging the commissioners to end this uncertainty and reestablish the partnership our community depends on,” said Rachele Selvig, library board vice president. “This isn’t about special treatment — it’s about fairness, stability, and honoring the will of the voters who created the library district when the County walked away.”
Despite public outcry and widespread community support — including from the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Library Association — county leadership has yet to clarify its intentions. The library remains open and operational as district leaders continue urging the County to return to the table and renew the lease.
The library district remains committed to transparency and open dialogue. Community members are encouraged to voice their support by contacting the commissioners at bcc@josephinecounty.gov.