The three-year levy would raise $8.3 million to fund the library system, which will run out of funding in April because the U.S. Congress failed to renew a subsidy and county voters rejected a similar measure in November, the Medford Mail Tribune reported February 8. If the May levy fails, two branches with new facilities under construction in Phoenix and Shady Cove will never enjoy a grand opening. Funded by a $39-million bond in 2000, the projects would offer expanded space for these small communities.
“Many people didn’t believe we were going to close libraries,” Commissioner C. W. Smith told reporters. “They thought we were going to pull the rabbit out of the hat.” Commissioner Jack Walker, who voted against the levy, said he preferred a long-term funding solution. “The public has created a Cadillac library system,” he said, “but we have a hybrid funding solution.”
At a budget meeting February 6, county officials rejected a proposal to close only the branches and keep the central library in Medford open, as well as a 1% income tax to help fund all county services.
Although it was not an open hearing, the budget committee allowed one library supporter to speak. Carole Mercer, who had donated $100,000 to help build the Eagle Point branch in honor of her daughter who died in a car wreck 10 years ago, said she wouldn’t stand for any attempts to shut the branches, the February 7 Mail Tribune reported. “If you close it, do I get my money back or do I get screwed by the system?” she said, displaying a picture of her daughter that normally hangs in the library.
About 80 FTE jobs will be eliminated when the libraries close in April, but six employees will stay on after the April closure. One of them is Ted Stark, regional manager for the Upper Rogue branches, who is replacing retiring Library Director Ronnie Budge. “I think we’re going to have to close to bring the message home that we need this,” Stark said.
Posted February 9, 2007.