Join the New Chapters crowdfund through August 31 to renovate
the Illinois Valley library.

New Chapters is a project to raise $110,000 still needed to renovate the library in Illinois Valley. Monies raised will be used to build a much-needed community meeting room with a teaching kitchen, create an early learning center with a maker space, and provide an outdoor area set up for STEAM programs.

This project will impact residents of the Illinois Valley, providing essential learning tools and opportunities in Southern Oregon.

Donate today!

Hooray! We did it!

We exceeded our goal of raising $110,000 to renovate the library in Illinois Valley!

Thank you to all the donors who made this possible!

We know our community loves its libraries!

The many services and programs hosted at our library branches are highly popular with community members of all ages. But from the heavy use, as well as the sheer age, the buildings are just about worn out. The Illinois Valley library was built in 1959 and has not been updated since the 1970s and has serious safety, space, and maintenance issues.

Improving our facilities is critical to the ongoing and future success of the libraries in our community. The district and foundation have established facilities improvement as a top priority.

With the formation of the Josephine Community Library District in May 2017, community members from various quarters turned their attention to the state of the existing library buildings. The library district partnered with the library foundation to create a Facilities Master Plan that would demonstrate what it would take to solve these library building problems in the most cost-effective manner possible. In developing this plan, professional library planners conducted public meetings in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, and Williams to learn from residents what they want and need from their libraries and for their communities.

Working with a local engineering company, ZCS Engineering and Architecture, the renovation of the Illinois Valley branch will cost $2.51 million.

The $110,000 goal for this crowdfund will complete fundraising for the renovation of the Illinois Valley branch. Every donation helps us reach our goal!

Flash Rewards

Flash Rewards are special rewards of limited quantity and are claimed on a first come first serve basis. You will be contacted to confirm you claimed the flash reward.

Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for flash rewards being offered. Everything from early learning toys to gift certificates to local restaurants—stay tuned!

**Concept drawing for the Illinois Valley library renovation**

A renovated Illinois Valley library means:

A community room — Illinois Valley currently does not have a space that community members can reserve to host meetings, programs, and other types of gatherings. This space will fill a much needed and desired gap in the community.
A teaching kitchen — bridges nutrition science, healthcare, and the culinary arts. This space will support nutrition education where programs can be held to inform about everything from health meal planning strategies to hands-on culinary instruction and practice.
An early learning center — offers the space and opportunity for children to play, learn, and grow. It encourages the development of six key early literacy skills: letter knowledge, print awareness, vocabulary, phonological awareness, narrative skill and print motivation in a fun, engaging way for our youngest community members.
A maker space — a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring and sharing that emphasizes hands-on discovery in a world that has become increasingly automated. It is usually a space that contains different tools and components, allowing people of all ages to enter with an idea and leave with a complete project.
A STEAM outdoor area — STEAM education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. This space will allow for more STEAM library program with the added bonus of spending some time outdoors in a safe environment.

Supporter Rewards

Anyone who donates at any level will get their name listed as a thank you on our website. Those who wish to remain anonymous will be listed as Anonymous. Click here to see our supporters!

$25: Thank You on Library Bulletin Board

Josephine Community Library Foundation will add your name to our list of supporters on our library bulletin board. Est fulfillment: Sept 1.

$50: Library Reusable Tote Bag

Support your local library in style with this reusable bag. Perfect for carrying your books or groceries! Est fulfillment: Sept 1.

$100: Library Stainless Steel Water Bottle

Be the talk of the office with this library stainless steel water bottle. Made locally, right here in the Rogue Valley. Est fulfillment: Sept 1.

$250: Monthly Book Recommendation

Share your favorite top ten books with book lovers in our community! Your top ten will be showcased on a personalized display at the Grants Pass branch for 1 month. Est fulfillment: beginning Sept 1.

$500: Night at the Library

Night at the Library: You and 2 guests will join other supporters and spend the night celebrating at the library. Have you ever imagined what happens in the library after it closes? Do characters from your favorite books come to life? Join us for a sleepover in the library and see for yourself! There will be a special storytime, crafts, movies, and pizza. Limited to the first 20 people. Est fulfillment: Fall 2021.