Like Librarians, We Have Answers

Learn more about how our libraries operate, our commitment to expanding services through smart financial decisions and modernizing facilities, and why we defend your freedom to read.

Blue/green tint depth-of-field shot of many books stacked spine-up (photo by Min An)
What can I do to help the Josephine Community Library?
Vote for these two candidates in the May 20, 2025 Election. They are trusted leaders committed to building a better future by expanding services and protecting our fundamental First Amendment rights to freedom of information.
Also, help spread the word. Bring three friends with you to vote in this important election for these candidates.
Why are libraries in the news lately?
Libraries across the country are under attack for supporting intellectual freedom, and Josephine Community Library is no exception. In addition to national efforts to censor books, our local library is facing political attacks, including an attempt by county commissioners to evict the Grants Pass branch by terminating its lease and a push to undermine the library district despite the county charter requiring the county to support and maintain library services—both of which have been covered extensively by local news. Despite these challenges, the library remains committed to serving the community and protecting everyone’s right to access information.
Why is the county trying to evict the library, and what happens if they succeed?
In January 2025, the Josephine County Commissioners voted to terminate the library’s lease for the Grants Pass branch with just 30 days’ notice—without first discussing any new terms. Despite claiming a budget shortfall, the county has $71 million in reserves and has already diverted over $40 million in library funds to other county operations since 2007. Now, commissioners want taxpayers to pay rent on a building they already paid for—demanding an extreme rent hike from $1 per year to $15,000 per month, in direct contradiction to the Josephine County Charter, which requires the county to support and maintain library services.
The library cannot afford this massive rent increase without cutting vital programs, reducing hours, or laying off staff. If evicted, essential services for thousands of residents—including students, job seekers, families, and seniors—would be disrupted.
The library district is actively planning for the future with modernization projects like the new downtown Grants Pass library, which will strengthen the local economy and ensure long-term sustainability. However, this transition will take years, and the library must remain in its current location in the meantime to continue providing critical services to the community. The library remains committed to negotiating a fair lease, ensuring continued access, and taking all necessary steps to protect taxpayer investment and uphold the county’s legal obligations under the charter.
What can community members do to support the library?
Stay informed and speak out. Attend county meetings, write letters to the editor, and contact the commissioners to express your support for a fair and reasonable lease agreement. You can also vote for library-friendly candidates in the May 2025 election and support the library through donations and advocacy.
Who should I vote for?
We support these two candidates in the May 20, 2025 Election. They are trusted leaders committed to building a better future by expanding services and protecting our fundamental First Amendment rights to freedom of information.
Also, help spread the word. Bring three friends with you to vote in this important election for these candidates.

General Questions

What is the role of a library board member?
Library board members have many responsibilities, including providing fiscal oversight and setting policies for our library. The role of a library board member is dictated by law. Learn about the current board and the governance board of director bylaws.
Is the library financially responsible?
Yes. The Josephine Community Library District is independently funded and operates on a balanced budget, responsibly setting aside savings each year to offset future inflation and ensure long-term financial stability. The library has responsibly secured millions in grants and private donations to improve services without increasing taxes.
What is the relationship between the library district and the library foundation?
The Josephine Community Library Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation. It is independently funded, and has its own leadership and board. In partnership with the library district, the foundation is responsible for raising funds for special programs and building projects that the library could not otherwise afford.
Why do you charge for a library card?
Library cards for residents who live within the Josephine Community Library district are paid for through property taxes. No additional fee is required. For households that are not within the library district, a library card costs $60 per year, or $15 for three months. This ensures library services are fair to all those who pay taxes. All residents of Josephine County may apply for a library card scholarship, funded by the Josephine Community Library Foundation. To date no one has been turned away from the library. Read more about the library card policy.
How many people are volunteers of the library?
Each year, more than 250 volunteers contribute nearly 21,000 hours of service to our public libraries, valued at $700,000. Our libraries couldn’t run without them. From shelving and checkout to programs and events, volunteers are the heart of our library and our community. Read more about library volunteers, and learn how you can help.
How do books get selected for the library?
Selecting books to purchase for the library is a lengthy process. The library district board approved a comprehensive collection development policy that guides all decisions regarding selection, access, labeling, procedures, removal, and replacement of materials. Read more about our Collection Development Policy.
An excerpt of the policy includes the following main points considered in the selection of materials:
  • Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
  • Favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials
  • Reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher
  • Current and historical significance
  • Validity, currency, and appropriateness of material
  • Contribution of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
  • High degree of potential user appeal
  • Community needs and interest
  • High artistic quality and/or literary style
  • Quality and variety of format
  • Diverse authors and perspectives
  • Value commensurate with cost and/or need
  • Timeliness or permanence
  • Budget and space considerations
  • Integrity
The library offers this protected freedom to all parents, so that they may choose to read or not to read a book to or with their child based on their personal views. The library stands for every resident’s right to make these decisions as a parent. Librarians applaud parents’ careful consideration of the material they allow their children to read. Parental guidance is most important and to be commended.
Read more about the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights.
Suggest a new selection.

Freedom to Read

Why are politicians saying there is pornography in the library?
Some politicians are playing politics with our public library and repeating sound bites from a divisive national discourse. Using terms like “obscene” and “pornographic” to describe books, or portions of a book, is fear mongering and an effort to undermine the value of books and public libraries. Parents have rights. They can control what their children read. Parents are not allowed to control what other people’s children read. We believe in the First Amendment, and we believe that government shouldn’t be telling anybody what they should or shouldn’t read.
We endorse the American Library Association (ALA) Library Bill of Rights, which was originally written in 1948 and advocates for the rights of patrons to read free of any censorship or pre-judgment regarding the materials they choose.
The Library Bill of Rights says:
“Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”
Read more about the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights.
Is it the library’s job to warn people about the content of books?
No. The library is not responsible for policing information. The government should not dictate what you can or cannot read. Freedom of information is the fundamental benefit of living in the United States, where we have protected First Amendment rights. The library gives you free access to all information. Library leaders do consider the possibility that some of our materials will be acceptable to one person or group, and unacceptable to another. It is their mission to provide access to information so that patrons may choose for themselves what they want to read, view, and hear.
Is our library grooming children to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and other things?
No. Gay people live here and have the same protected rights. Nobody is allowed to bring children under the age of 11 into the library unsupervised. If you don’t like a book, then do not check it out. We uphold the view of the American Library Association, which states, “The primary responsibility for rearing children rests with parents. If parents want to keep certain ideas or forms of expression away from their children, they must assume the responsibility for shielding those children. Governmental institutions cannot be expected to usurp or interfere with parental obligations and responsibilities when it comes to deciding what a child may read or view.”
Is the children’s library safe for my child?
Yes. Our local public library is a safe place for all of our community. Children 10 years and younger have to be accompanied by an adult. Read more about the library’s safe children policy.