Grants Pass, January 7, 2025 — In a dramatic decision, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to terminate the lease on the Grants Pass branch of the Josephine Community Library, effective February 6, 2025. The vote has sent shockwaves through the local community, where the library has long been a vital resource for residents.
The termination stems from a claim by Commissioner John West that the library’s transition from a “county” library to a “community” library in 2017 invalidates the county’s charter mandate for the “support and maintenance” of libraries in Josephine County. This shift, West argues, makes the county no longer responsible for funding and managing library facilities. As a result, West urged his colleagues to terminate the lease, which was originally signed in 2008 and was set to run until December 31, 2025.
The board’s decision has drawn significant criticism, particularly in light of the history behind the county’s library funding. In the late 1990s, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners voted to redirect a 33-cent library levy to the general fund to cover public safety costs, citing Measure 50. This decision effectively increased the county’s property tax by 57 percent, with the library’s funding being absorbed into the permanent tax rate. As it stands, none of the redirected funds go toward supporting the library, except for the maintenance of the Grants Pass branch.
Library Director Kate Lasky voiced strong opposition to the decision, emphasizing the detrimental impact it would have on the community. “This abrupt decision undermines community trust and investment,” Lasky said. “Terminating the lease with just 30 days’ notice disregards these contributions and the essential services the library provides to thousands. We deserve a fair and respectful process.”
The move has left the library in a precarious situation, with only a month remaining before the lease is set to expire. If the commissioners go forward with the eviction, the library will have no legal recourse to remain in the building.
The Josephine Community Library has long been an essential part of the Grants Pass community, offering a wide range of programs, resources, and services to residents of all ages. The uncertainty surrounding the lease termination has sparked concerns among local residents, many of whom rely on the library for access to educational resources, technology, and community programs.
The library board and community members are now left to grapple with the potential consequences of the commissioners’ decision. With no clear alternative plan in place, the future of the library’s physical location is uncertain, leaving residents questioning how such an abrupt change will affect the valuable services the library provides.
For more information about the library’s programs and services, visit josephinelibrary.org, email info@josephinelibrary.org, or call 541-476-0571.
