Grants Pass Friends of the Library is preparing to hold a public demonstration outside the Josephine County Commissioners’ meeting this Thursday, August 21, 2025. The rally, called the “No Shushing” event, is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. outside the Anne Basker Auditorium in downtown Grants Pass.
The group’s action comes after heightened tensions during the commissioners’ meeting on August 14, when Commissioner Andreas Blech abruptly adjourned the session. Blech cited “disrespect” from the audience after members of the public applauded a motion related to the long-delayed lease agreement for the Josephine Community Library District. That decision, made mid-meeting, left many library supporters frustrated and without a resolution.
According to organizers, the rally is intended to allow library advocates to show support for the lease while avoiding disruptions inside the auditorium. The Friends of the Library say they are concerned that applause, criticism, or any audible reaction during the meeting could again be used as grounds for adjournment.
The library lease has been a point of contention since early this year. On January 6, 2025, the commissioners voted to terminate the library district’s existing lease with only 30 days’ notice, leaving the future of library operations in limbo. Since that time, district representatives and county officials have engaged in negotiations, but a formal vote on a new lease has yet to take place. Despite more than two months of back-and-forth discussions with the county’s designated liaison, no resolution has been brought forward. Eight months later, the issue remains unresolved.
The Friends of the Library note that during the most recent meeting, dozens of community members spent hours testifying in favor of securing a lease, urging the commissioners to approve terms that would allow the district to continue operating county library branches. Supporters say libraries remain essential community institutions that provide access to information, literacy programs, and public resources that benefit residents across Josephine County.
By organizing the “No Shushing” rally outside, the Friends of the Library hope to ensure that supporters can remain visible without jeopardizing the continuation of the commissioners’ meeting. Their goal, they say, is to demonstrate both persistence and solidarity while county officials deliberate inside.
The ongoing dispute over the library lease has become a symbol of broader tensions between county leadership and community groups who see libraries as vital public services. Thursday’s rally is expected to draw a significant turnout, as many residents await a long-delayed decision that could determine the future of library access in the region.
The Friends of the Library organization describes its mission as advocating for libraries throughout Josephine County, providing accurate information to the public, and promoting the role libraries play in creating strong, connected communities.
