The Oregon State Library Board awarded Josephine Community Libraries a grant of $61,920 from the Library Services and Technology Act federal funds.

The money is earmarked for the Expanding Opportunities Program to begin in March of this year. The library utilized $30,000 of economic development funds awarded by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners in March of 2011 to build the infrastructure for this program.

The program includes hiring an outreach librarian to educate and demonstrate what modern libraries have to offer in terms of expanding residents prospects for improving their education, finding jobs, improving employment skills, and starting or growing a business. The program is in partnership with R.C.C., school district number 7, and the Job Council.

The position will be posted soon with an anticipated hiring in late February.