Grants Pass, OR – January 9, 2025 — The Josephine Community Library Foundation (JCLF), the nonprofit organization responsible for supporting the Josephine Community Library District, has expressed strong opposition to the recent decision by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to terminate the lease for the Grants Pass library branch. The commissioners voted on January 6 to end the lease, a move that has raised significant concerns over its legality and the process behind the decision.
In response, the JCLF is calling on the commissioners to reverse their vote and honor the current lease agreement, which is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2025. According to the foundation, the library is an essential community resource, and decisions affecting its future should be made with careful consideration and in consultation with the public.
Rebecca Stoltz, Executive Director of the Josephine Community Library Foundation, emphasized the impact of the decision on the community. “The Josephine Community Library Foundation has long been dedicated to ensuring a stable and thriving library system for our community,” Stoltz said. “This decision by the commissioners jeopardizes access to critical library services, but it also underscores the importance of our work. We encourage supporters to speak out and join us in building a sustainable future for the library.”
The foundation has seen an outpouring of support from library donors, volunteers, and patrons, many of whom are frustrated by the vote and eager to show their support for the library. To assist, the JCLF has made resources available on its website, including contact information for the county commissioners and a customizable letter template, allowing residents to voice their concerns and advocate for the library.
The termination of the lease is set to take effect in 30 days, which could disrupt access to crucial library programs and services relied upon by thousands of residents in Josephine County.
Since 2019, the JCLF has been working toward an independent future for the library, free from the limitations of county ownership. In June 2023, the foundation took a major step forward by purchasing a centrally located property in downtown Grants Pass. The foundation continues to raise funds to build a new, modern library facility that will meet the long-term needs of the community and ensure the sustainability of library services for future generations.
For those interested in supporting the library during this critical time, the foundation invites donations and encourages the community to get involved. More information, as well as ways to contact the county commissioners and contribute to the foundation, can be found at jclfoundation.org/grants-pass or by contacting Executive Director Rebecca Stoltz at rstoltz@josephinelibrary.org.
