Grants Pass, August 25, 2008-From its inception, Josephine Community Libraries’ main focus has been to provide access to books in whatever way possible.  The group is set to do just that by setting up a Temporary Lending Library in a space donated by Ginny Stegemiller of Parkway Village behind Gooseberries at 1519 NE F St.   It will open Saturday, August 30 from noon to 4:00 and continue on Saturdays until the main branch is open.

The group just ended its Summer Reading Program for children in the same space with great success:  Over 60 children participated and read over 300 books. Barbara Ketley, Volunteer Coordinator of Josephine Community Libraries and President of Grants Pass Friends of the Library, wanted to do something similar for people of all ages, so she proposed opening the Temporary Lending Library.

“We have been without a library for so long,” explained Ketley.  “If you’re a bookworm like me, having this small temporary place to check out books is wonderful!”

The Temporary Lending Library is intended as a service to the community until the group can open the main branch of the library in Grants Pass.  “We know this is no substitute for a professionally operated library, but we wanted to do something until we can get those doors open,” explained Doug Walker, President of the Board of Directors of Josephine Community Libraries.

In the Temporary Lending Library, patrons will check out books on the honor system by filling out a card indicating the titles of the books and returning them two weeks later.  The books have all be

donated, and Josephine Community Libraries has been spent less than $40 on the Temporary Lending Library.  “Our members gave money for the purpose of opening the county libraries, and we want to honor that by saving their donations for the main branch,” noted Walker.

In preparation for opening the Temporary Lending Library, volunteers have been working tirelessly to sort books and make the space inviting.  “It’s just amazing how you can make an empty space look and feel like a library with just a thousand books and art work on the walls!” marveled Ketley.

The group is currently in negotiations with the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to lease the library building and collections, and it has begun advertising for a library supervisor with experience in resource development and volunteer coordination.  Interested applicants are invited to send a cover letter and resume to info@josephinelibrary.org.

The group proposes sustainably operating the library by borrowing the patron model from public radio and public television, in which memberships are offered for as little as $1, but everybody has access regardless of membership status. There are now over a thousand members, and the total raised in cash and in-kind donations and pledges since the group formed last September is $235,000.

The libraries in Josephine County closed on May 17, 2007.  In September 2007, committed community members formed Josephine Community Libraries, Inc., a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization 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.   Those interested in becoming a member can send their check or money order payable to “Josephine Community Libraries” to P.O. Box 1684, Grants Pass, OR 97528 or make a secure donation on the Web site, www.josephinelibrary.org,

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Josephine Community Libraries, Inc.

P.O. Box 1684   Grants Pass, OR  97528

541-660-6531

info@josephinelibrary.org www.josephinelibrary.org