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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 11, 2011)
Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Page A-3 New branch manager has big dreams for IV Library By Darcy Wallace IVN Staff Writer (Courtesy photo for, Illinois Valley News) Josephine County Library Illinois Valley branch manager Kate Dwyer. If you’ve lived in the Illinois Valley even for a little while, you might have seen desserts from local caterer Kate Dwyer served at several local events. Dwyer, a longtime Takilma resident, caters food in several parts of Southern Oregon, including Medford, Grants Pass and Applegate. On April 6, Dwyer took up a new position as branch manager of the Illinois Valley Library in Cave Junction. She said her background in community networking helped prepare her for the library manager position, not to mention her love for reading and the community aspect libraries bring. “I love our library,” Dwyer said. “I love books. I wanted to work at IV Library so I could increase our volunteer base by focusing on making it a fun and rewarding experience.” After about a month in her new role, Dwyer hopes to create as many activities as possible at the library to draw more patrons and expand the membership base. According to Dwyer, people can join the library for free, but donations are requested to purchase books and keep the lights on. After the four Josephine County libraries closed in 2007 for nearly two years, county residents came together to re- open the libraries for limited hours to keep the resource available. “One thing that happened when the libraries were closed was that the aisles were just stacked with books,” Dwyer said. “[Now] there are thousands of books in the homes of the patrons; that’s where they belong.” In late spring and summer 2008, Josephine Community Libraries ran a membership drive to attract future members and volunteers to re-open the library system. The Illinois Valley branch reopened in September of 2009. Dwyer said few library employees are paid, but hundreds of volunteers run operations in county libraries. She said more are needed to help put books on the shelves, help patrons and assist with projects. “I think there are over 13,000 active patrons supported by about 2,000 [donating] members,” Dwyer said. “I strongly encourage people to come to the library to keep us thriving.” The library has hosted or participated in events such as monthly story time readings and Second Friday ArtWalks, and Dwyer wants to host several more activities featuring the library. She’s also open to guest presentations and Wednesday evening events for teens. The I.V. branch is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Library cardholders with internet access can browse the library database on the website, josephinelibrary.org, which Dwyer said includes access to the Ancestry.com site, health and wellness information and other resources. “Libraries are a precious community resource,” Dwyer said. “We all need to work together to keep the doors open and our library thriving.” Kindergarteners experience IV Library By Darcy Wallace IVN Staff Writer Two classes of Evergreen kindergarteners, some 40 students strong, visited the Illinois Valley Library branch for a story reading and lunch on the lawn. The visit, on Friday May 6, was a chance for several young students to experience the library for the first time, meeting new branch manager Kate Dwyer and hearing stories read by volunteers Deb Lukas, Carol Valentine, Molly Renno and her daughters, and Rochelle Gale. Dwyer said the classes broke into four groups of ten for the reading, where volunteers chose books they wanted to share. Several parents opened library accounts for themselves and their kids. “Several of the children had never been to the library before,” Dwyer said. “We love sharing [it] with them.” For lunch, the groups came together on the lawn at the back and side of the library for a picnic. After an extensive garden cleanup day Saturday, April 30, wood chips and native plant life now decorate the front of the building, but much of the lawn remains. “When my kids were in town, we used to come to the lawn to unwind,” Dwyer said. “The library doesn’t have to be open for people to enjoy the grounds. People are donating benches…we want to make our space comfortable.” With the school year coming close to an end, Dwyer said she won’t be able to have as many classroom visits to the library as she’d hoped, but plans to extend that next year. In the future, she hopes students from the local private schools as well as public schools will be able to experience the library. “I’d love to get every kid in the Valley in here,” Dwyer said. Election & Installation of Officers of Glenn Morrision Post 70 of Cave Junction Post Commander - Bob Soria, 1st Vice Commander - Dan Warden, 2nd Vice Commander - Dennis Erhman, Adjutant - Carl Jacobson Jr, Finance Officer - Max Holeman, Sgt. At Arms - Max Rosenberry, Ex Committee - Harold Harris, Carl Jacobson Jr, Dave Cochrane Memorial Flag Service Monday, May 30 at the following: 10:00am – City Hall, Cave Junction 11:00am – Laurel Cemetary 12:00pm – Deer Creek Cemetary Installation was Be Bob Huff, State Finance Officer of Oregon Dan Warden was elected District 4 Commander who will be installed at State Convention. (Photo by Darcy Wallace, Illinois Valley News) Evergreen K students tour the library Friday May 6. IVHS Activities Calendar brought to you by the folks at Events Calendar 541-592-3556 Cave Junction 541-469-7545 Brookings String Bean Saturday, May 14th 5:00pm to 8:00pm Every Wed - Open Mic Night from 6-8pm with Jim Nolan Friday, May 13 Track Coed Team- Illinois Valley High School @ Rogue River High School (SCL/Sunset League Spe- cial District Meet) All Day Saturday, May 14 Track Coed Team- Illinois Valley High School @ Rogue River High School (SCL Sunset League Spe- cial District Meet) All Day Baseball Boys Varsity- Illinois Valley High School vs Rogue River High School 2:00pm - 2:00pm Blue Grass Friday, May 13th 5:30pm at Taylor’s Country Store To add an event to this calendar call 541-592-2541 It’s oNly $5! 541-471-7487 Grants Pass 541-773-7487 Medford Baseball Boys Varsity- Illinois Valley High School vs Rogue River High School 2:00pm - 4:00pm Softball Girls Varsity- Illinois Valley High School vs Rogue River High School 2:00pm - 4:00pm Tuesday, May 17 Baseball Boys Varsity @ Lakev- iew 4:30pm - 7:00pm Girls Varsity Softball @ Lakeview 4:30pm - 7:30pm Junction Inn Lot SHOW TIMES 5:00 & 7:30 PM Rain or Shine BUY ADVANCE TICKETS & SAVE &RIIHH+HDYHQ'U-RH V3HW+RVS 7D\ORUV6DXVDJH62)&8 2 %ULHQ&RXQWU\6WRUH6SHHG\0DUW 6SHHG\0DUW6HOPD ,OOLQRLV9DOOH\9LVLWRUV&HQWHU (YHUJUHHQ)HGHUDO%DQN TICKETS: In Advance Circus Day (ages 2-12) (ages 2-12) Adult.....$9 Child.....$6 Adult.....$12 Child.....$7 7RSXUFKDVHWLFNHWVZLWKFUHGLWFDUGFDOO %,*7230) CAVE JUNCTION Oregon Caves Chevron 409 S. Redwood Hwy - CJ Monday • May 23 541-592-3080 0303 6SRQVRUHGE\7KH&DYH-XQFWLRQ/LRQV&OXE
