JCLI pleased at ruling; plans to reopen main branch first
From our weekly issue dated November 5, 2008
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Josephine Community Libraries Inc. (JCLI) that allows it to forge ahead with its plans to reopen the main branch of the library system by the end of 2008 was signed by the Josephine Board of County Commissioners Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Grants Pass.
“We’re thrilled that the commissioners are supporting our efforts to reopen the libraries in our community,” said Teresa Stover, JCLI project manager.
“We’ve been working very hard for over a year to raise money from individual memberships, corporate sponsorships, grants, and fund-raisers to make this possible,” Stover said. “Now with this MOU signed regarding our use of the library buildings, the books, and the $300,000 matching grant, we’re well on our way to opening those doors.”
Added Doug Walker, JCLI Board president, “It is such a relief to have this hurdle behind us. This will allow us to move our focus forward to our next step.”
In the MOU, the commissioners agree to lease the library buildings and collections to the group for $1 per year. The county will be responsible for maintenance to the shell of the building while JCLI takes care of interior maintenance.
The commissioners also will provide a $300,000 grant to the group that matches dollar-for-dollar what the group has raised by Nov. 30. To date, the group has raised $223,000 in cash.
“The more money we raise,” explained Stover, “the more hours we can be open, the more materials we can buy for the collection, and the sooner we can open the other three branches.”
Moving ahead with plans to reopen the libraries by the end of 2008, the group is in the process of hiring a supervising librarian and has signed on volunteers for maintenance duties. Members of the Operations Committee also have been finalizing plans for necessary technological infrastructure such as catalogs, databases, and internet access.
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JCLI is putting the finishing touches on its three-year business plan, which is required in the MOU. The two groups also are working on the lease agreement.
The libraries in Josephine County closed on May 17, 2007. In September ‘07, committed community members formed JCLI, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization dedicated to reopening and operating the libraries in Josephine County.
People interested in getting involved with the library effort can e-mail JCLI at info@josephinelibrary.org. Those interested in becoming members can send a check or money order payable to “Josephine Community Libraries” to P.O. Box 1684, Grants Pass OR 97528; or make a secure donation on the Website, www.josephinelibrary.org.
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