Beneath the Wraps

Facebook memories shared a video put out by Vice News on HBO.  I watched  this  as though seeing it for the first time and felt nostalgic at doing so.  I had heard the rumor before joining the library board when it was considered a public library.  Many of the libraries did reopen eventually, but most are no longer considered public but rather “Third Party” libraries as there is no funding to pay a staff or even just one librarian.  Myrtle Creek is a third party library.  I think Riddle has gone public – or perhaps were in the processing.  But COVID could have changed that.  A lot of changes since COVID.  But the closing of the libraries happened three years before.  I miss the public libraries we’d gone to in Salt Lake.  I am grateful for my kindle and having the ability to update with Amazon. https://www.slideshare.net/nadajabar/libraries-matter-53581250

           When Myrtle Creek Library was still a public library back in 2016 there was an announcement for a book club.   Unlike Salt Lake county that has several copies of many books, Douglas county had multiples of   approximately 8-12 books.   I remember the librarian passing a list of suggested titles and a brief description.   The most unanimous we for   A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick.  The story is one of African-American pioneer Letitia Carson who made her way to Oregon and although she was a property owner by today’s standards, the law back then frowned upon women owning property.         It appeared to be easy reading and we each took home a copy (I think there were eight of us) and would meet the following week or two (I don’t remember) and while the storyline did seem interesting, most of us found the book to be very one dimensional as characters would be mentioned...

            I went to my first   Library Futures Task Force meeting - only it isn't called that anymore.   The meeting was referred to as Douglas County Library Rescue Coalition .   About 100 people (I thought it had been more) attended the meeting in Winston last Thursday (August 17).   I think most were volunteers, some onlookers and concerned citizens, some who would like the libraries to continue to operate just as   they had before, some there for support, some there to share newfound growth and remain independent ; cooperative but not restricted . . .             Mary Kay - who represents the state - was there to raise awareness and provide options for those who needed or wanted the support.   The libraries who seem to be most successful would like to share materials but not guidance that feels mandatory.   Most representatives expressed that they are doing fi...

            We have activities each week for the Children's Summer Reading Program.   Today's "Build" activity featured a solar oven and building S'mores. Yum!             JM took the children outside and placed marshmallows in the oven and explained how it would work.             We then came inside and had story time - only it was more of a question, answer and demonstration than straight reading.   We talked about the sun and moon.             When we finished with the book, Rindy was up with her "Pin-a-Moon-to-the-Sun" craft.   Each of the children were given black paper to create a moon.   After all the moons were cut out, each stood in line to paste their moon on the sun while wearing their solar glasses.   It was really fun.        ...

More from The News Review – representing Douglas County Riddle Library to move forward with plan for checking out books CARISA CEGAVSKE Senior Staff Writer The News-Review   May 9, 2017 Riddle is moving forward with a plan to reopen its library and even check out books. The smaller branches that were once part of the Douglas County Library System shut down April 1, victims of the financial crisis faced by county government. While the county’s Library Futures Task Force continues to search for a long-term solution, many cities have come to the conclusion their best bet, at least for now, is to take charge of their own libraries. Previously, libraries had been told by the county they could reopen, but only as reading rooms. Under that model, county-owned books would remain with each branch, but would have to be read on site and couldn’t be checked out. The county would no longer provide a computer catalog. But Riddle began looking into a way around that. ...

"As a result of declining timber receipt and dwindling reserve funds the Board is tasked with making very difficult decisions to ensure that basic public safety needs and other essential services for the community are met." stated County Commissioner Chris Boice. Those are the last words found on the Douglas County Library home page.   The web page may appear to offer more   options, but they are no longer linked to anything.   It's a dead page. This was the caption on November 30, 2016 Charlotte Herbert wrote the following letter to the News Review Editor:   Stop the talk, vote for the library           " How can anyone think library supporters have not thoroughly explored ALL funding solutions? Library staff and supporters have been thinking about alternative funding for 20 years. Ever since 1996, when repeated budget cuts made our libraries fall below minimum standards.      ...

I realize my mind seems to be going in several directions . . . I still have my two classes to focus on, but did want to express how pleased I am with Jenna           The Douglas County libraries have run out of funding (or soon will be) and had proposed a 44cent per day tax increase to all property owners.   The proposal made it to the ballot that was mailed just before the election.   Unfortunately, the bill did not pass and the libraries will be gone.           Myrtle Creek had invested in a drop box that was put in just before the election.   I suppose it will be possible to salvage some libraries that may run independently as city libraries - but it sounds as if most libraries will close down.   Two had already opted out before the election.   We do not know what's to become of the rest.           The bu...