Library system funding group progressing well
From our weekly issue dated May 7, 2008
Other than during National Library Week, April 13-19, Josephine Community Libraries is encouraging people to become members and help reopen libraries in Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Williams, and Wolf Creek.
National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association, began in 1958 as a way to celebrate the many ways libraries and librarians contribute to society.
“We want to honor libraries by bringing ours back to the community,” said Doug Walker, president of the Board of Directors of Josephine Community Libraries Inc.
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And Cynthia Fuller, coordinator of a penny drive for Grants Pass School District 7, announced that the final deposit from the drive raised the total to $1,000. Students at Highland Elementary donated more than $300, and librarians across the district were awed by the dedication of students to reopen libraries.
While the drive officially ran from Feb. 7 to March 7, students continue to donate.
Besides the $1,000 raised from the penny drive, $6,000 was raised for the libraries by the Murder Mystery Weekend, brainchild of Josephine Community Libraries board member Brady Adams. He is president of Evergreen Federal Bank.
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Overall, Josephine Community Libraries has raised more than $75,000 in cash, and has pledges of cash and in-kind goods and services totaling approximately $120,000.
Once the organization raises $300,000, it can apply for matching seed money pledged by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners.
The organization’s fund-raising efforts will be based on the public radio/public television model, in which memberships are sold, but everybody has access regardless of membership status. This will contribute not only to the libraries reopening, but to their long-term sustainability, a spokesman noted.
The libraries in Josephine County closed almost a year ago, on May 17, 2007. In September 2007, committed community members formed Josephine Community Libraries Inc. It is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to reopening and operating the libraries in Josephine County.
Those interested in getting involved with the library effort can e-mail info@josephinelibrary.org.
Those interested in making a contribution can make their check or money order payable to “RCC Foundation/Josephine Community Libraries” and mail it to P.O. Box 1684, Grants Pass OR 97528.
