Grants Pass, January 3, 2025 — The Josephine Community Library District (JCLD) has announced that it will not be attending the upcoming Josephine County Board of Commissioners meeting on January 6, citing concerns about insufficient notice and the unavailability of its legal counsel. The meeting is expected to discuss a proposal introduced by Commissioner John West during the December 19, 2024, commissioners meeting, where he suggested charging rent for the Grants Pass library building—an issue that the library district argues is complex both legally and financially.
The library district’s leadership has expressed that they were given insufficient time to prepare for the meeting, particularly given the holiday season, and that the absence of legal counsel would make it difficult to properly address the matter. Library Director Kate Lasky emphasized the importance of having all stakeholders present for a well-informed and productive discussion.
“With only a few business days’ notice during the holiday season and our legal counsel unavailable on January 6, it would be irresponsible for the library’s leadership to attend without proper preparation and representation,” Lasky stated.
The Josephine Community Library District has formally communicated its concerns to the County Board of Commissioners, requesting the meeting be rescheduled to a later date in January. The library has proposed several alternative dates for the discussion: January 16-17, January 23-24, or January 30-31. Despite these requests, Commissioner John West has declined to move the meeting and intends to hold it as originally scheduled on January 6, even though key stakeholders, including the library’s legal counsel and director, will not be in attendance.
The library district’s stance is further supported by a provision in the county charter, Section 14.5: LIBRARY SUPPORT, which mandates the Board of Commissioners to “provide for the support and maintenance of the main library.” The JCLD has emphasized that this proposal involves significant legal and financial considerations that require careful review and input from all relevant parties.
The situation has sparked concern among library advocates who worry that the lack of proper representation and preparation could hinder meaningful progress on this important issue. The library district hopes to resolve the matter through a more collaborative and informed approach in the near future.
