GRANTS PASS, May 5, 2008-As residents of Josephine County approach the one-year anniversary of the libraries’ closing on May 17, 2007, a local group trying to reopen the libraries has received some very good news: The IRS has granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status to Josephine Community Libraries, Inc., the all-volunteer organization working to open the libraries in Josephine County.

“This is terrific news!” says Corin Goodwin, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Josephine Community Libraries. “With confirmation of our nonprofit status in hand, we’re excited to launch our membership drive and kick our activities into higher gear.”

In a letter received May 1, 2008, by Board Treasurer Dennis Doyle, CPA, the IRS explained that nonprofit status has been granted retroactive to the organization’s filing for nonprofit corporate status with the State of Oregon on September 21, 2007. Between then and now, Josephine Community Libraries has been accepting memberships through the Rogue Community College Foundation so that donors could claim a tax deduction. The group submitted its application to the IRS in January this year, soon after meeting the requirements of installing the board of directors, adopting bylaws, and creating a three-year budget.

With the granting of IRS nonprofit status, Josephine Community Libraries will be able to accept tax-deductible memberships without RCC’s generous affiliation. Memberships can now be made
payable directly to Josephine Community Libraries.

Because the nonprofit status gives the group authority to accept tax-deductible memberships directly, Josephine Community Libraries will soon launch its membership drive. To date, before the

membership drive has even officially begun, the group has raised over $80,000 in cash and has pledges of cash and in-kind goods and services totaling approximately $120,000. Once the organization has raised $200,000, it can begin negotiations with the county to lease the library building and the collection.

Josephine Community Libraries proposes a model based on public radio and public television, in which memberships are offered - but everybody has access regardless of membership status. This will contribute not only to the libraries’ reopening, but to their long-term sustainability.

The libraries in Josephine County closed almost a year ago, on May 17, 2007. In September 2007, committed community members formed Josephine Community Libraries, Inc., a private nonprofit dedicated to reopening and operating the libraries in Josephine County. People interested in getting involved with the library effort can send an e-mail to info@josephinelibrary.org or visit www.josephinelibrary.org. Those interested in becoming a member can make their check or money order payable to “Josephine Community Libraries” and mail it to P.O. Box 1684, Grants Pass, OR 97528.