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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 16, 2006 Budge says she'll retire in January County library director says pending closures had 'zero' bearing on decision By Damian Mann Mail Tribune After 33 years with the Jackson County library system, Ronnie Budge will retire on Jan. 31, as the county prepares to close the doors on all 15 branches. Budge, who has offered to stay on until June in a part-time capacity, said the pending closures were not a factor in her decision. "This has absolutely zero to do with what's going on with the libraries," said Budge, who turns 65 in February and has been county library director for 22 years. "There is no reason other than the fact it is time for me to enjoy doing other things." Budge, who receives a salary of $94,000 a year, will begin taking her retirement from the Public Employees Retirement System. County officials announced plans this week to close the libraries after Congress failed to renew funding for timber-dependent counties. Advertisement Budge said her move to a part-time basis would save the county money as it braces for the loss of $24 million annually from the federal timber payments program. And it will provide some leadership in the midst of the changes. "Given the uncertainty of the libraries' future at this time, it's not possible to recruit another library director," she said. During her career with the library system, Budge has seen many ups and downs. In the early '80s, budget cuts limited the hours of operation at some branches to 10 hours a week. Before voters approved a levy in 1984, the equivalent of 13 full-time workers manned 14 libraries. Budge said she was proud of the achievements made in the library system over the years, despite some rough patches. Assistance from the Friends of the Library and and other supporters and volunteers has helped make the library system one of the best, she said. "We have an absolutely wonderful library staff," said Budge. "If there is any skill I have, it is in hiring superb library staff. We're doing our best with resources we have for the best possible service to the public." Budge has also overseen the remodeling or construction of 15 branches, projects that were made possible by the passage of a $38.9 million bond in 2000. County Commissioner Dave Gilmour applauded her efforts to improve the libraries and sympathized with her over the pending closures. "She's had a tough time the past year," he said. Gilmour said the construction of the new branches can be directly attributed to the efforts of Budge. But the new system was put in jeopardy when county voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposed five-year levy in November. Congress added a follow-up blow by failing to renew the county payments program and the county on Tuesday announced plans to close all 15 branches between March and April. "It's hard on her emotionally," Gilmour said. "She has built a good system only to see the funding pulled out from under her." Gilmour said that even before the budget crisis, Budge had indicated she was planning to retire. Budge has helped push the library system into the 21st century, going from a catalog system that couldn't provide information on what books were available at other branches to an online system that tracks all materials available throughout the system. She said the library system has become an information hub for all of Jackson County, providing more services than just checking out books. The reference staff is trained to take advantage of both online sources and other materials to find out information for patrons. Computers are available for people who otherwise couldn't afford them or don't have Internet access at home. "It's really going back to the principles of Andrew Carnegie," said Budge. "That is to open up the access of information up to every American." Damian Mann: 776-4476. or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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