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October 21, 2008 Jennifer Roberts, 441-3295

Doug Walker, 660-6531

Josephine Community Libraries Signs Memorandum of Understanding with County

Grants Pass, October 21, 2008-In a momentous step forward for Josephine Community Libraries tonight, the library group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Josephine Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners are expected to sign the memorandum Thursday.

In the MOU, Josephine Community Libraries will lease the library buildings and collections for $1 a year and be responsible for maintenance to the inside of the building. The commissioners will also make available funds to match what Josephine Community Libraries has raised by November 30, up to $300,000.

Since October 14, when the commissioners voted to give the $300,000 in matching funds and to cover maintenance to the outer shell of the building, Josephine Community Libraries has received over $5,000 in memberships.

“This is really great,” noted Teresa Stover, project manager for the group.  “People who join or increase their pledge before November 30 are effectively doubling their money, since the county will match each dollar up to $300,000.”

With a signed MOU, Josephine Community Libraries can move ahead with its plan to reopen the main branch of the library before the end of 2008 and open other branches as sufficient funds become available.  In preparation, the group is interviewing applicants for Supervising Librarians and working on its operation plan.

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