This story starts with a cliffhanger — libraries suspended between the promise of stable ground and the threat of collapse, defunded by local activists. But keep reading, because the ending isn’t written yet.
This past week, Southern Oregon PBS aired a new episode of its “Us As We Are” series, available at sopbs.org for free streaming. The episode spotlights southern Oregon’s regional libraries, including our own, and explores the tumultuous history of libraries in both Josephine and Jackson counties — with a special focus on culture wars and recent efforts to defund local systems.
Broadcast journalist Keegan Van Hook, along with his cameraman Tripp White, began working on the piece back in January. It was prompted by the Josephine County Commissioners’ unanimous vote to terminate the library’s lease with just 30 days’ notice. Keegan was also inspired by the Independent Lens documentary “Free For All: The Public Library,” produced by Serendipity Films, LLC and broadcast by PBS.
Over the course of three months, Keegan and his team dug into the regional library story, researching, filming, and editing up until the last minute. He said the hardest part wasn’t finding material — it was cutting footage to fit the one-hour timeframe.
The episode, titled “Regional Libraries,” includes footage from recent rallies in Grants Pass and interviews with people on all sides of the issue — including myself, library volunteers and patrons, President of the Grants Pass Friends of the Library Jennifer Roberts, former Commissioner John West, current Commissioner Chris Barnett, and political activist Mike Pelfrey, who recently attempted to withdraw his property from the library district to eliminate the library tax.
I watched it live when it aired Thursday night, March 20, at 8 p.m. — right after our library board meeting wrapped up, just in time for us to catch the PBS livestream. What struck me most was the sheer amount of time Keegan dedicated to the story. That kind of commitment to researching, editing, and hearing opposing viewpoints is rare. When a journalist takes the time to really dig in, do the research, and shape the story with care, it’s often a sign the story is worth your time. That doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it often means the work goes beyond surface-level reactions and into something more meaningful: a story that helps us understand, not just react.
Keegan opens the episode by disclosing that he’s a “big fan” of libraries and has used them his whole life. Still, I found the interviews with commissioners and activists on all sides to be respectful and eye-opening. When I asked Keegan what he took away from the process, he said, “There is so much miscommunication — things that seem like they could be resolved with a simple phone call from the commissioners.” He added, “The national is invading the local. I’m seeing it invade local libraries.” By painting local conflicts with a national brush, he suggested, we lose the nuance and truth of what’s really happening. “Josephine Community Library really isn’t that ‘woke,’ though I’m not sure that word even means much anymore — it’s not trying to be anything other than what this community needs.”
Keegan’s reporting continues. His team plans to follow the lease termination issue and future developments in Josephine County. Meanwhile, the PBS documentary “Free For All” will air nationally on April 29 at 10 p.m., and the Grants Pass Friends of the Library is hosting a pre-screening on April 12 at 10 a.m. at the Grants Pass branch. The Friends group will also host a screening of “Us As We Are” at a special event with a Q&A on April 5 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email grantspassfol@gmail.com.
While I may not agree with every perspective shared, like Keegan, I believe everyone has a story worth hearing — and when we take time to listen and communicate, we’re more likely to find common ground.
So, back to the cliffhanger.
If this story is about the library, the question is still “what’s next?” What happens when a public institution loses its footing — quite literally, its right to occupy the space where it serves the community? No resolution came in this column, and none came in the PBS episode — because the future of the lease is still uncertain. Keegan will keep reporting, and the fight to keep libraries open continues.
If the story is about journalism, the cliffhanger is this: you have to read, watch, and decide for yourself. Read often. Read deeply. And be warned — it might just change your mind.
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 | March 2025