The Josephine Community Library District has announced that the Illinois Valley branch in Cave Junction will be closing for renovations early next month.
The IV library branch on West Palmer Street will close on Sunday, March 3rd, and the last day of service before the closure will be Saturday, March 2nd. The library branch is expected to reopen to the public in mid- to late-fall of this year.
During the library closure, temporary library services will be available at the Illinois Valley Senior Center at 520 East River Street. Services there will include a book drop open Mondays-Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and item pick-up service on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..
To take advantage of the weekly pick-up service, patrons can use their library card account to place requests on books and other items through the online catalog at "josephinelibrary.org." Patrons will be notified when requested items are ready. For technical assistance, calls to the IV branch will be forwarded to library staff.
The renovated library will include a meeting space with a maximum capacity of 80 people along with a teaching kitchen and dedicated ADA-accessible restroom, an early learning center, outdoor space for library programs and more.
The City of Cave Junction was awarded a $1.5 million Community Development Block Grant to help fund the library renovation. The Oregon State Legislature via Representative Lily Morgan contributed $900,000 for the project using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. In August 2021, the library foundation launched a crowdfund for additional funds need to support the renovation.
During the closure, Illinois Valley community members are invited to visit the other library branches in Grants Pass, Williams and Wolf Creek to checkout items, attend programs, and use computers and WiFi.
