I went into the Ashland library today and saw the big sign posted that they were closing (I just recently got back from christmas break)

Firstly, here are a few articles explaining what's going on:

http://www.dailytidings.com/2007/0108/stories/0108_library.php

Secondly, here is an article explaining federal involvment:


"County Administrator Susan Slack shared information about Jackson County's budget and funding issues. She noted that Jackson County receives more than $16 million in "O & C" revenue each year from the federal government. Another $4 million comes to the road fund from "Forest Service" receipts. The last of these annual payments are to arrive in fall 2006. Congress may or may not decide this spring whether to reauthorize these yearly revenue streams beyond the 2006-07 fiscal year. The Board of County Commissioners asked her to recommend a plan for how to deal with this nearly $22 million annual shortfall if it occurs."


http://www.jcls.org/lac/lac1015_05_special.html

So, in a round about way, it is connected to the tightening of the federal budget. but secondly, from what I understand it there was mismanaging of money on the O & C side. I have not been able to find out the whole story, but it's a combination of things alltogether, as always.

I personally do really think though, that people in this county voted down the tax levy because, like someone in the first article states, they thought that it wouldn't happen. That it wouldn't resort to this. Here in Oregon mainly with the school systems frankly, our money seems to dissapear out of our pockets thanks to taxes, yet things don't seem to get any better. I think the vote was more from people in disbelief, or angry at the fact that it seems there is a growing trend that money gets voted in, yet the beurocrates are always saying they need more.

I also think one of the commenters in the above was right-closing down all of them I think, is going to get a lot of attention. Closing down half would not pull in nearly as much attention. In other words, close down a few-no fuss. Close down all, big fuss, and more likely for people to get out there, protest, and find a way for alternative funds.

And I also agree with the posting about how we really don't need 15 libraries here. We really don't. Medford and Ashland are the largest cities IN jackson county-here is a map of the area:

http://www.city-data.com/tym/un2219.gif

I can't even believe there ARE 15 public libraries in this county. I'd say we could knock off about 5 of them at least.


But anyway. It's quite sad, yes. In all honesty, Oregon as a whole just isn't doing as well as it could be. Employment-wise, school-wise, we've been struggling, probably half due to the little things-like the timber issue, salmon, etc-and half due to our politicians seemingly not spending the money in places that they should.