Jackson County libraries: property levy considered

On its Facebook page, the Medford Mail Tribune asks, “Would you vote for a levy to keep the libraries open?” A budget shortfall threatens all branch libraries in Jackson County Library Services.

According to Commissioner John Rachor, as reported by freelance writer John Darling for the Medford Mail Tribune, “a levy of 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation would provide the nearly $5 million needed to keep all branches open. On a house assessed at $189,000, the median price of single-family homes in the county, the tax would amount to $51 a year.”

T-shirts repurposed into jewelry

I spent an enjoyable couple of hours today during a Jackson County Library Services Teen Library-sponsored activity, repurposing T-shirts into jewelry at the Ashland Branch Library.

Count me among Ashland Teen Library fans.

Today’s event was part of Summer Reading Program activities that are taking place; a book talk featuring Young Adult and young readers’ literature prefaced the activity.

There are summer reading programs for all ages including adult. And if you missed today’s activity, there are several other opportunities at other JCLS branch libraries.

‘Unbored’ for summer reading and doing

Perfect for summer reading and doing, Unbored is as its subtitle suggests, “The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun.”

Compiled by Joshua Glenn and Eizabeth Foy Larson with a variety of contributors, Unbored offers guidance and inspiration for activities that encourage young readers to experiment, explore and become engaged members of society.

Parade viewers block access to Ashland library

With the Ashland Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July parade behind us, can we talk about access and courtesy? Maybe even -- as we near the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, can we talk about respect for the law?

On Wednesday afternoon -- the day before the holiday parade in the City of Ashland, Oregon -- several people obstructed the mobility walkway that leads to Jackson County Library Services’s Ashland library.

‘Pay It Forward’ at Oregon universities

Image credit: AddictingInfo.org

Oregon will become the first state to offer a “Pay It Forward” program for education at its seven state universities.

As explained by Chris Lazare at AddictingInfo.org, “Students will be able to initially attend state universities free of cost. Upon graduating students will pay 3 percent of their paycheck for 24 years in order to help fund the program for future students.”