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October 31, 2008 Jennifer Roberts, 441-3295

Doug Walker, 660-6531

Commissioners sign Memorandum of Understanding with Josephine Community Libraries

Grants Pass, October 31, 2008-The Josephine Board of County Commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Josephine Community Libraries, Inc., on Wednesday, a move that allows the group to forge ahead with its plans to open the main branch of the library by the end of 2008.

“We’re thrilled that the commissioners are supporting our efforts to reopen the libraries in our community,” said Teresa Stover, project manager for Josephine Community Libraries. “We’ve been working very hard for over a year to raise money from individual memberships, corporate sponsorships, grants, and fundraisers to make this possible. Now with this memorandum of understanding signed regarding our use of the library buildings, the books, and the $300,000 matching grant, we’re well on our way to opening those doors.”

“It is such a relief to have this hurdle behind us,” echoed Doug Walker, president of the Board of Directors of Josephine Community Libraries. “This will allow us to move our focus forward to our next step.”

In the memorandum of understanding, the commissioners agree to lease the library buildings and collections to the group for $1 per year. The county will be responsible for maintenance to the shell of the building while JCLI takes care of interior maintenance. The commissioners will also provide a $300,000 grant to the group that matches dollar for dollar what the group has raised by November 30. To date, the group has raised $223,000 in cash.

“The more money we raise,” explained Stover, “the more hours we can be open, the more materials we can buy for the collection, and the sooner we can open the other three branches.”

Moving ahead with plans to reopen the libraries by the end of 2008, the group is in the process of hiring a supervising librarian and has signed on volunteers for maintenance duties. Members of the Operations Committee have also been finalizing plans for necessary technological infrastructure such as catalogs, databases, and internet access.

Josephine Community Libraries is putting the finishing touches on its three-year business plan, which is required in the Memorandum of Understanding. The two groups are also working on the lease agreement.

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 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