I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. I was catching up on local doings in the Illinois Valley News. It helps keep me informed about what is happening in our community. I especially like the tactile part of reading and drinking a cup of coffee. I am on my computer way too much! I appreciated Dan Mancuso’s thankful list in “Life in the Valley of Riches.” It also reminded me that we don’t have to have a special day to be grateful for all the many blessings in our lives. Please support our local newspaper. They are an important part of our rural community.
The library renovation project is well underway. Here is an update provided by Teresa Stover, the library block grant administrator for the renovation.
The library renovation will expand the 4,264-square-foot library by another 1,515 square feet, including a new and much-needed community meeting space that will hold up to 80 people and be accessible to groups after hours. There will be more space for programs and services for children and adults, and more space for computers and other vital technology. The project is well on the way to designing the features and amenities our residents want to see in our library. After a competitive bid process, the city of Cave Junction and library district and foundation is now meeting regularly with the architecture and engineering firm that will design and oversee the project. We will be working through various phases of design and permitting over the next few months. We expect to put the project out to bid in late spring, with construction taking place next summer. You can keep up with project updates at https://jclfoundation.org/illinois-valley.
The project will cost $2.5 million and is being paid with a federal Community Development Block Grant, a generous grant from the Carpenter Foundation, and ARPA funding made possible by the Oregon State Legislature via Rep. Lily Morgan. Most significantly, our community responded in a big way to a crowdfunding effort last summer. Because of our local residents, the library renovation project is now fully funded.
With the city of Cave Junction, Josephine Community Library District, Josephine Community Library Foundation, and Business Oregon all working together, this project is an outstanding example of the power of community partnerships. Together, we’ll make sure we have an up-to-date library with the books, technology, programs, and services that will serve our residents for generations to come.