Libraries Aren’t Free — But They’re Worth Every Penny
Libraries aren’t free. While they feel free when you walk-in and check out a book or attend a storytime, the truth is they’re made possible by the financial contributions of the community. And here in Josephine County, every dollar is put to work.
As board president, it’s my responsibility to ensure that each public dollar is used responsibly, transparently, and with long-term sustainability in mind.
The Josephine Community Library District receives about $1.5 million annually in tax revenue. That funding supports all four library branches in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, and Wolf Creek, along with every service we offer — from storytimes and job-seeker resources to digital access and senior support. For the current fiscal year, 53% of our spending is for materials and services and 47% is for payroll.
We also rely on grants and private donations to fund capital improvements and building maintenance. The carryover funds visible in our budget aren’t extra — they’re critical for operations between July and November, before property taxes are collected.
We work with a municipal CPA and an independent third-party audit firm to ensure compliance with Oregon Budget Law. Our budget is more than numbers on a page — it’s a reflection of community values. We are morally obligated to ensure that funds go where voters intended: into public library services.
That’s why the county’s recent attempt to terminate our $1-per-year lease and replace it with unaffordable rent is so concerning. For more than 15 years, the library has operated independently in a county-owned building — an arrangement that began with the nonprofit Josephine Community Libraries, Inc. after the county closed the libraries in 2007. In 2017, when voters approved forming the library district, the county transferred the existing $1-per-year lease from the nonprofit to the district, honoring the public’s investment.
Now, that history is being undermined. Any increase in rent would redirect funding away from books, programs and staff — and if high enough would jeopardize library services, potentially risking closure. It also contradicts the county’s own foundational responsibility. Section 14.5 of the Josephine County Charter states: “The [County] Board shall provide for the support and maintenance of the main library and library branches.”
Our libraries are community-supported, fiscally responsible and built to last. But we need stable partnerships to keep it that way.
Libraries aren’t free. But when we honor our commitments — legal and moral — they remain one of the best investments a community can make.
Bio: Gina Marie Agosta, a native of Grants Pass and life-long supporter and patron of her local library branch, is the president of the Josephine Community Library District Board and has served on the board since 2019.