After slow-walking negotiations for weeks, the county has set a meeting date to talk about the lease, a press release from the Josephine County Library District stated.
The meeting was set for Feb. 11, 1:30 p.m. after our deadline so details are not available. The agenda item is titled “Consideration of lease termination for County-Owned Real Property at 200 NW C Street.
In a move that shocked the community, commissioners voted on Jan. 6, to terminate the County’s lease with the Josephine Community Library District with 30 days’ notice.
Further, the County has yet to officially notify the library of the termination of the lease. A press release from the County issued Jan. 8 simply noted that the County and the library had a “framework” for renegotiation, yet the library claims no conversations were held for that to happen.
“We are encouraged that the county has finally scheduled a meeting, and we look forward to having an opportunity to negotiate in good faith,” said JCLD Board Chair Gina Marie Agosta. “This process should have begun weeks ago, but we remain committed to finding a solution that keeps the library open for the thousands of patrons who rely on it.”
For over a month, the county delayed meaningful discussions with the library. Attorneys for the district reached out to county commissioners on Jan. 22 to schedule a meeting, followed by a second request on Jan. 31. Until now, the county had provided no guidance on when negotiations would take place.
Meanwhile, community members have expressed widespread concern about the future of the library. Public outcry following the commissioners’ January 6 vote played a key role in preventing the county from following through with formal lease termination. Advocacy efforts—including letters, rallies, and statements from organizations like the Oregon Library Association and the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce—have reinforced the importance of the library and helped push the county toward scheduling a meeting.
“This library has been at the heart of our community for decades, and the support from our patrons, volunteers, and local organizations has been incredible,” said Library Director Kate Lasky. “The overwhelming public response has made it clear that residents expect a fair and transparent process, and we hope the county will engage in good-faith negotiations.”
Library leadership is eager to begin negotiations with an eye towards extending the current lease for another ten years or until such time as the library moves into its own building.