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New director takes helm of Jackson County libraries Jamar Rahming is the new Jackson County Library Services director. Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta Saturday Dec 17, 2016 at 12:01 AM Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune @VickieAldous From Ashland to the Applegate Valley to the upper Rogue River area, new Jackson County Library Services Director Jamar Rahming wants to meet the unique needs of the county's diverse communities. Rahming took the helm of the 15-branch library system this month after former director Tammy Westergard moved to Nevada to be closer to family. He came to the Rogue Valley from Austin, Texas, where he was the regional branch manager. "Like Austin, Jackson County has a large geographic area and widely diverse population, so each region needs to have their individual identity while allowing patrons to feel they are part of the broader community," he said. "Books, other materials and activities need to reflect that." Rahming said he has received a warm welcome since starting work in Jackson County. "I've met some of the most friendly people in the United States here, and I've lived all over the U.S. I've had a very warm welcome from the community," he said. Rahming said he appreciates coming to an area where people back their local libraries. The library system closed in 2007 because of a loss of government funding, then reopened with limited hours and a precarious financial situation. Voters ended that uncertainly when they approved a new library district with its own taxing authority in 2014. "This is really a community-driven and community-inspired organization," Rahming said of the library system. "Advocacy and support opened the doors after the facilities closed. It was the constituents who went to the polls and voted to allow us to be sustainable with dedicated funding." He added, "We're here to improve the quality of life for the constituents in the county and to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars." A theater buff, Rahming said he is looking forward to attending plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and other theaters in the area. He also has been admiring the local scenery. Rahming grew up in Denver and has fond memories of spending time at the public library. "Libraries were inviting links to the world. I was able to expand my world view," he said. "I wanted to give back to this industry that gave so much to me." Rahming said libraries continue to play an important role in society. "People speak of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but if you don't know how to read, assess and evaluate information and think critically, you are missing out. You can't participate fully," he said. "We're helping people participate in Democracy." — Reach staff reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous.