Document text
45 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 24, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 11, 2004 Pat Ashley, who was instrumental in getting a bond measure passed to rebuild or expand 14 libraries, can now enjoy a new library in her own community of Eagle Point. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Building new libraries, from the bond up Pat Ashley was a key player in the rebuilds and expansions of Jackson County libraries By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune The new Eagle Point Branch Library will hold its grand opening Sunday, the eighth Jackson County library to be rebuilt or expanded in the last four years. For the woman who helped make the dream of new libraries a reality, seeing one in her own community is special cause for celebration. Pat Ashley, 69, was instrumental in helping pass a $38.9 million bond measure in 2000 that will put new or expanded libraries in 14 communities. "It seemed like something I could get behind," says Ashley. "There’s just something about the weight of a book in your hand." Ashley moved to Eagle Point from Los Angeles eight years ago. It wasn’t long before the former television producer joined the Jackson County library advisory council and found herself heading up the campaign to get the bond measure passed, giving slide presentations to community service organizations. Advertisement If the library building project was to succeed, Ashley knew she had to get the movers and shakers on board. Actually, she says, the goal was to get everybody who’d listen on board. "We swore if three people would get together, we’d talk to them," says Ashley. "We figured the bond measure could pass if we could get 50 percent of the people to vote." The bond measure passed in May 2000 and seven of the new or expanded libraries are open for business. A frequent visitor to the new libraries, Ashley says it’s been gratifying to see community members getting so much enjoyment from them. "Every place there’s a new library, more people are going. It’s tremendously exciting to see so many people who could never be in a library, using them and feeling welcome," she says. "Twenty-five percent more books are being checked out." Ted Stark, the library system’s Upper Rogue regional manager, says Ashley has remained active in the implementation phase of the library projects. "Pat is extremely intelligent and experienced," he says. "And she’s just a great person." Ashley’s community service doesn’t stop with the libraries. She is just stepping down after having served as board chairwoman of the Community Health Center, which provides health care to low-income families at clinics in Medford, White City and Ashland. Ashley says getting involved in the centers as a volunteer was something that was very important to her. "We’re serving and addressing a larger issue. People have a right to have their own medical home," she says. Dr. John Forsythe takes the Community Health helm soon, but Ashley says she’s going to remain active on the board. "I feel our community is so forward thinking in meeting the challenge of our underinsured and uninsured members," she says. "I think (the Community Health Center) would be a model for many other communities of our size." From libraries to health care, Ashley says it’s all about passion and partnership. "People just need to find what they’re passionate about and join in," she says. "If you wait for somebody else to do it, you’ve lost many people who are vital to the community." Do you know someone who’s a Hometown Hero? The first to volunteer when a school or a local family needs help, or someone who has risked his personal safety or financial security to help someone else? Submit suggestions to Mail Tribune reporter Sanne Specht via e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 776-4497. If You Go A grand opening ceremony for the new Eagle Point Branch Library is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at 239 W. Main St., Eagle Point. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers