News Release

Open the door to knowledge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

December 2, 2008 Jennifer Roberts, 441-3295

Doug Walker, 660-6531

Josephine Community Libraries meets matching funds goal-and then some!

Grants Pass, December 2, 2008-Josephine Community Libraries supporters were awestruck today to learn that not only had the group achieved its goal of meeting a $300,000 matching-fund grant from the county, it had far exceeded it.

When the Board of County Commissioners agreed to reinstate the $300,000 matching funds grant on October 14, 2008, Josephine Community Libraries had raised a total of approximately $230,000.  With news of the county grant, the community rallied around the group and memberships poured in, and the group has now raised $357,270 in cash.

Doug Walker, president of the board of directors of Josephine Community Libraries, pointed out that the outpouring of support from the community “shows the people of this county believe in libraries enough to donate their hard-earned money” to the private, nonprofit, nongovernmental group.

While the community’s support raised the group’s fundraising number to the necessary $300,000 level, other grants helped to put them over the top and added immeasurably to the group’s morale.  Especially notable were generous grants from Zonta Club of Grants Pass for $10,000; Fourway Foundation for $20,000; and Oregon Community Foundation for $25,000.

“We’re so thrilled that the community has stepped up to show its love for libraries,” noted Jen Roberts, JCLI board member.  “As we raise additional funds, we’ll be able to open the branches, add hours of operation, and build up our collection, so it’s especially encouraging that we’ve gone above and beyond our goal at this early stage.”

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.

# # # # #

Josephine Community Libraries, Inc.

P.O. Box 1684   Grants Pass, OR  97528

541-660-6531

info@josephinelibrary.org www.josephinelibrary.org