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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: April 21, 2007 Closed doors, empty rooms By Chris Honoré Tidings Correspondent Orville Hector | Daily Tidings The Ashland Public Library will remain empty through May. The library closed April 6 due to a lack of funding. The building stands silent. It's not the hushed silence that takes hold just before a play starts. Or the silence that comes over a congregation before a service. This is a sad silence, one of loss, a stillness that permeates the air while seeming almost accusatory, if not funereal. The reality is that it's midmorning on a spring day and Ashland's library should be humming with activity. Patrons should be coming through the double doors, stopping at the check-out counter, or heading up the stairs to the reference library. Others should be seated at the reading tables, lost in concentration, notebooks and papers spread out, or hunched in front of the computers. And there are those who should be comfortably ensconced in the deep cushioned chairs that face the high, expansive windows, newspapers open like small white sails, as cars and pedestrians pass by on the street below unnoticed. Instead, the rooms are empty, the dim morning light casting muted shadows across the furniture. Row after row of shelved books are undisturbed, the bulletin boards absent notices, the doors to the Children's Library shut. Only the low hum of the heating system is audible in the pervasive quiet. Behind the check-out counter is a large white marker board announcing the Weekly Quote: "And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." "' William Shakespeare An old notice is posted nearby, reminding "reveling bibliophiles and library lovers," that a gathering will be held "in front of the library on April 6 to say a temporary good-bye to our beloved library." The words "beloved" and "temporary" are written in colorful, bold letters. For those who may not have heard, there are red and white signs on the locked doors that say, "The Library (and every public library in Jackson County) is CLOSED Due to a Lack of Funding. The library will remain closed until further notice." Tied to the metal railing are long strips of ribbon, some yellow and pink, others purple and brown, each with a testimonial from patrons, young and old: "The local library is the college everyone goes to." "My dad makes me smile when he takes me to the library." "A library is a feast to which we're all invited." "You can get there from here at the library." "What can I say? Librarians rule!" "The three most important documents any society gives are a birth certificate, a social security card and a library card." "I was very sad on April 6 when we closed the doors of our libraries," said Ted Stark, interim director of Jackson County Libraries. Seated at a reading table in the Ashland library, he looked grimly around and said, "But on April 13, that day was even worse for me when the staff people had to leave, and I knew they wouldn't return. To see these buildings sitting here without staff or patrons using them, well, it feels like the life has been sucked out of them. All of the books are on the shelves. On any given day there might be 78,000 items checked out. It's a tragic loss." Amy Blossom, branch librarian in Ashland, said most of the library staff, full-time and part-time, are now devoting their days to getting the May initiative passed. "It's not just about getting their jobs back," said Blossom. "These are people who believe in the libraries and believe its a core community institution. They don't want to work anywhere else. The library is more than just about checking out books. It's a place that people come daily. Many of them I've gotten to know over the years. They come to read the paper in a communal place. For some, it gives them purpose each day. I wonder where some of them are now." The May initiative, ballot measure 15-75, will give the voters of Jackson County another chance to approve a property tax increase with the revenues slated specifically for the libraries. It is the same levee that came before the county voters last November when the results, according to Elections Deputy Donna Connor, were 44,004 "no" and 31,162 "yes," defeating the proposed increase. The May measure must overcome two major hurdles: first it requires a "double majority," meaning that more than 50 percent of all registered voters must vote, and of that vote there must be a simple majority approving 15-75 (50 percent plus one), or the initiative will fail. "Turnout is critical," said Stark. "And then we need to win." Clearly, the destiny of Ashland's library — its staff, volunteers and patrons — is tied to the will of the electorate of Jackson County. In the past November election, according to Connor, more than twice as many Ashland residents voted in favor of the library tax as voted against; not reflective of the county by any means. One seasoned volunteer at the library, who wished to remain anonymous, made the point that the Jackson County library system is a model nationwide of efficiency and professionalism. The budget crisis now facing the libraries is not the result of the branches not managing their budgets effectively; in fact, the volunteer emphasized, it is just the opposite. "We provide equal access to all library services to every Jackson County resident regardless of where they live. It's a remarkable system," the volunteer said. The closing of the libraries, she said, rests completely with how they are funded and the county's past dependence on federal funds, which have not been renewed. Current Comments: Nice piece of writing, Chris. What's happened to Ashland is so sad. Letting the library close seems like just the latest in a long series of atrocities to what truly used to be "the jewel of southern Oregon." My condolences to all of you who still live there and remember how it used to be. I hope you find a way to take back your town. As for Ashland librarians, my impression was always that they LIVED to help patrons. I'd be hard to find as good a deal for your tax dollar anywhere. Former Ashlander - Los Angeles, CA - April 21st, 10:38 PM When can we expect the articles discussing ways to improve the library system's efficiency and cost-effectiveness? Steve Wesche - Ashland, OR - April 22nd, 8:45 AM It is amazing to think that having libraries is now based on charging homeowners, ONLY, to fund them. Seems a little unfair, and I use the library and own a home. My paying about $40 a month (yeah, Ashland is expenisve) to keep the library open for ALL seems unfair. How about a 1% sales tax for the WHOLE COUNTY. Then EVERYONE can help pay for the libraries? My family can spend the $40 a month on used books and resell them when finished, thus supporting reading and local business? t.e. - ashland, or - April 22nd, 8:38 PM Hearing about the closure of the library just irritated the hell out of me - I went to school at SOC in the late 50's and used the public library all the time. What is with the people who now live in the area and in Jackson County?? Glad I live in California now - we have our problems with education and library funds - BUT - even in a small town like Union City - We fund our library. A town that doesn't have a library has no character or soul in my opinion, and lets our future - our kids -down mike johnson - Union City CA - April 24th, 2:08 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. 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