Our libraries
Planning Better Buildings
Today’s Grants Pass library building.
The many services and programs hosted in the four library branches are highly popular with community members of all ages. However, three of the four buildings are nearly worn out.
The Grants Pass, Williams, and Illinois Valley library buildings are old, inadequate, and in a state of disrepair from years of deferred maintenance and heavy use. Constant efforts to maintain the aging and broken-down buildings have been siphoning more money for “bandage fixes” with each passing year. Instead, we are now focusing on long-term, cost-effective solutions that better meet our community’s needs.
With your support, the solutions to our libraries’ facility needs can be in place within the next decade. After successfully building and opening the new Williams library in 2023, the Illinois Valley library renovation and expansion will be complete in 2024. Planning and information-gathering for the Grants Pass project is underway, and fundraising will begin soon.
These projects will ensure that residents have access to quality library services at all stages of their lives, and for generations to come. Through these updated library facilities, our community members will be connected with the rich information resources they need, providing opportunities for a brighter future.
For more information, read the entire Facilities Master Plan report. While constantly evolving, it offers insight into the long-term plan for library buildings.
“You can support something bigger than yourself. We’re investing in the future. We’re leaving the community better than we found it.”
Grants Pass
In June 2023, the foundation purchased a centrally-located property in downtown Grants Pass. Plans for a new library building on the site will be cost-effective and efficient. Learn more on the Grants Pass library building page.
Illinois Valley
The fully-funded renovation of the current Illinois Valley branch library is about to kick off! Learn more on the Illinois Valley library building page.
Williams
The new Williams library is open! This renovation was a huge success thanks to many generous supporters and a dedicated design and construction team. Learn more on the Williams library building page.
Wolf Creek
Wolf Creek boasts the most current library structure, built in 2003 through the foundation’s hard work. It is considered the “little library that could,” and remained open after the 2007 closure of the other library branches. Learn more on the Wolf Creek building page.
Capital Campaign Steering Committee
Josephine Community Library Foundation
Sue Cohen, co-chair
Sara Katz
Doug Walker
Caroline Brooks
Mike Murphy
Ann Bauer
Greg Fishwick
Dennis Webber
Vince Lucido
Dawn Welch
Josephine Community Library District
Pat Fahey, co-chair
Kate Lasky