For the first time in about a year and a half, Roseburg is getting a public library again. A soft opening is scheduled for sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Douglas County鈥檚 11-branch library system closed after voters in November 2016 rejected a proposed special funding district to keep them functioning. With the help of volunteer staff, several of the locations reopened, but Roseburg鈥檚 flagship spot remained closed. And then, last December 鈥� the County transferred ownership of the library building and its contents to the city of Roseburg at no cost.
Now, final touches on the remodel are underway. Kris Wiley is the director of the Roseburg Public Library. She says the city has committed itself to funding the new space.
WILEY: 鈥淭he city council is incredibly supportive of this project. They鈥檙e the ones who decided - when the County ceased operations - that a public library was important in this community because the constituents told them it was.鈥�
Wiley says while it鈥檚 hard to pick just one 鈥� the renovated children鈥檚 space is a feature she鈥檚 looking forward to sharing the most.
Initially, the library will be open 30 hours a week and closed Sundays and Mondays.
Copyright 2018
