The Josephine Community Library District Board of Directors would like to address the community regarding the ongoing discussions about the lease for the Grants Pass branch at 200 NW C Street.
First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for your advocacy efforts, including letters, rallies, and public statements. Your voices are making a meaningful difference in ensuring the continued support of our library system. We also wish to acknowledge and thank the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Library Association for their public endorsements of the library, underscoring its vital role in fostering education, connection, and opportunity in Josephine County.
The current lease arrangement, which expires on December 31, 2025, aligns with the county’s charter obligation to provide support and maintenance for public libraries. Section 14.5 of the Josephine County Charter states: “The Board shall provide for the support and maintenance of the main library and library branches.”
We are encouraged to share that our legal representatives have reached out to the county’s legal counsel regarding meeting times, and we look forward to discussions in the near future. The board is committed to ensuring that these discussions result in a solution that reflects the needs of the community and honors the long-standing partnership between the library and the county.
The history of library funding in Josephine County provides important context. In 1997, a voter-approved 33-cent library levy was designated to fund library operations. However, after Measure 50 made the levy permanent, the Board of Commissioners merged it into the county’s general fund. Over the years, as federal O&C timber revenues declined, the 33 cents originally meant for libraries became a crucial source of funding for other county departments. This shift meant the 33-cent library levy became the majority of the county’s property tax revenue, allowing the county to maintain operations even today. As a result, the library system was left unfunded and ultimately forced to close in 2007. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of volunteers and donors, the libraries were eventually reopened and sustained until voters established the library district in 2017, securing dedicated funding for library services at last.
Since its inception, the library district has operated independently of County Government, funded entirely by a voter-approved special tax district. This funding structure has saved the county millions of dollars annually while enabling the library to continue providing vital services to the community. The Grants Pass library branch, in use since 1959, remains a cornerstone of our community, thanks to the dedication and heroic efforts of volunteers and supporters who have shaped the library into what it is today.
Plans for a new library facility are already underway, with construction expected to begin in 2027, pending the successful raising of necessary funds. Importantly, funding for these improvements will come from grants and donations—not from new or increased taxes. The current facility remains essential for uninterrupted services, and we are actively fundraising to make the new library a reality.
The library board remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and will continue to keep the community informed as this situation progresses. Together, we can ensure that the Josephine Community Library remains a vital resource for future generations.
For more information, please contact:
Library Board Chair Gina Marie Agosta, gagosta@josephinelibrary.org
Kate Lasky, Library Director, klasky@josephinelibrary.org
Josephine Community Library District, board@josephinelibrary.org