Lane County loves libraries. Polls prove support. Then why is everything going wrong? Eugene’s most popular government service – the library – is facing cuts. Supporters are asked to vote for a fire service fee as a stopgap funding measure. Libraries in Junction City, Springfield and Cottage Grove are under similar pressure, competing for city budget dollars against demands to fix potholes and fund police.

Blue River received $1.4 million from the state to build a new library after the 2020 wildfire. But without a penny for operations, it may close. Elsewhere in Lane County, 80,000 people don’t have free access to tax-supported libraries at all. To check out a book from the Eugene library, they are asked to pay $132 a year. Six volunteer libraries struggle to fill the gap. Few of Lane County’s libraries offer exchange privileges.

What’s wrong?

Other counties in Oregon have solved the problem with a library district. With its own tax base, a countywide district would provide basic funding for all libraries, guarantee everyone access and unite service. Cities could still control their own libraries and give them extra funding, if they wish. Rural volunteer libraries would suddenly be in the loop.

Lane County’s three existing library districts – based in Florence, Veneta and Creswell – would merge with a larger goal. Thousands of dollars of state library funding, long withheld from Lane County because of patchy service, would suddenly arrive.

The solution is obvious, but the political will to achieve it is weak. Each of Lane County’s 16 libraries could fear losing local control. Each librarian could fear being replaced by a county administration. These fears can be allayed by a look at successful library districts in Deschutes County, Washington County and many others, where job security and local control remain.

And yet, Lane County lacks a champion for this cause. Who among our elected commissioners and councilors has the courage to suggest a Lane County Library District?

William L. Sullivan
Eugene