The end of a long project is a marvel. Looking back on the milestones met, benchmarks exceeded, and obstacles overcome feels almost unreal. This was no less true of the nearly four-year journey to remodel and renovate the Illinois Valley library, which reopened on November 9. From raising $2.5 million through grants and donations to designing spaces that reflect the community’s heart, this project took a village of dedicated volunteers, unwavering local leaders, and passionate library supporters—a marvel of collaboration and grit.
This journey began in 2017, when voters approved the formation of a library district, empowering us to bring new possibilities to life. Right away, volunteers and staff began planning, driven by a dream to create a library space that would serve the community for generations. A dream this big, however, required more than vision; it needed champions. One of our greatest was Cave Junction Mayor Meadow Martell. Her belief in our mission, willingness to take risks, and partnership gave this project its spark and kept it moving forward.
A Facilities Master Plan helped us identify Illinois Valley as the first branch needing major improvements. Our focus was on making each decision count, designing a space flexible enough to grow with the community’s needs. The list was long: replacing the roof, updating plumbing and wiring, making seismic retrofits, and expanding the children’s library space were just the beginning.
By March of 2021, we were ready to dive into design concepts, collaborating with ZCS Engineering & Architecture to bring our ideas to life. After sharing early plans with the community, we listened closely to feedback, ultimately expanding the meeting room, adding more windows, and including a family bathroom in the children’s library to ensure comfort, safety, and accessibility for all.
From the beginning, dedicated leaders were essential to this project’s success. Branch Services Manager Roberta Lee was the library’s “boots on the ground,” coordinating directly with the construction team to keep every detail on track. Library Foundation Executive Director Rebecca Stoltz led our fundraising with a focus and dedication that made a huge impact. Thanks to her leadership, a community crowdfunding campaign in August 2021 surpassed its $110,000 goal, raising $114,000 and bringing in grants for additional critical funding, further ensuring the project’s success.
At the same time, former State Representative Lily Morgan’s support was instrumental. Recognizing the importance of this work, she helped us secure special ARPA funding that not only supported the Illinois Valley branch but also helped close the fundraising gap for the project. With additional partnership with the City of Cave Junction, we secured a Community Development Block Grant in December 2021, guided by the careful stewardship of project manager and grants administrator Teresa Stover. Teresa guided us through every phase, balancing timeline, budget, and scope to ensure we met the grant requirements and maximized its impact.
But the journey was not without its challenges. Delays due to National Marine Fisheries Service requirements forced us to redesign parts of the stormwater system and rebid, stretching our budget and testing our patience. Yet, with the community’s resilience and support, we adapted and pressed on. In March 2024, Ausland Group broke ground and completed the construction on time and within budget, bringing the vision to life.
As October rolled in, the move and set up process began, with staff and volunteers unpacking 1,300 boxes of materials. Volunteers logged 500 hours during this phase, assisting with tasks like reshelving and putting the final touches on the new branch. All their hard work culminated in a soft opening on November 2, leading to the grand opening on November 9.
The grand reopening was a huge success, drawing more than 300 attendees who toured and celebrated the library. Ten new library cards were issued, and three annexations were completed on opening day, reflecting the community’s excitement for the new space.
Working alongside remarkable leaders like Mayor Martell, Roberta, Rebecca, Teresa, and our partners at ZCS and Ausland Group has been an honor.
The new Illinois Valley library is now fully operational, with volunteers and staff eagerly ready to welcome you. Featuring a community room for 80 people, a teaching kitchen, an early learning center, and an outdoor children’s program space, it stands as a testament to our community’s spirit, vision, and grit.
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 | December 2024