Library

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Beginning Thursday, April 2nd, the Oregon Historical Society’s Research Library will be open to the public each week according to the following schedule:

"We are glad to be able to establish these new hours and appreciate the patience of our members and the public while board and staff planned operations under our new economic realities.  Veteran OHS library staff and volunteers will be ready to serve the public,” says Dr. George Vogt, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society.

Research Library is supported in part by gifts from the Barbara Ann Davies Trust.

The Oregon Historical Society is proud to announce an opportunity for members and friends to support the Research Library during these difficult times.  A “Friends of the Library Fund” has been established, allowing patrons to make gifts directly in support of library programs and operations.  Your contribution, large or small, is much appreciated.

Mail your gift to:

The Oregon Historical Society

Friends of the Library Fund

1200 SW Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

Make a gift over the phone:

Call or Annual Giving Manager at 503.306.5237

We will provide more information in the coming weeks about other ways you can support the Research Library and the Oregon Historical Society.

All members of the Board urge citizens to make their views about the library and state funding known to their state legislators.  The process of developing the 2009-11 state budget has begun in Salem, and now is the time for action.

Because of declining revenue projections for 2009, the OHS Board of Trustees has directed management to reduce expenditures and lay off staff members to bring the budget into balance.  The main causes of revenue decline are:

• A 2009-10 state appropriation that is forecast to be 65% lower ($800,000 per year less) than last year’s
• A probable take-back of $350,000 from the 2009 state appropriation
• The loss of approximately $400,000 in annual endowment earnings
• A drop in giving to the OHS annual appeal

All programs are affected, and managers are taking a 10% pay reduction as part of the overall reductions.  In 2009, there will be no pay increases for staff or management.

The Trustees concentrated most of the staffing reductions in the research library in order to preserve and focus on public access to museum exhibits and educational programs and to continue web-based services, traveling exhibits, and school outreach programs across the state.

The Society will continue to provide access to photographic and film collections and will continue to partner with Oregon Public Broadcasting in the production of Oregon Experience.

We urge everyone to contact his or her state legislators with messages of support for the Oregon Historical Society’s appropriation.

“Whereas, the Oregon Historical Society has been incorporated and organized under the laws of this state for the purpose of collecting and preserving a library of historical literature relative to the settlement and acquisition of the Oregon territory, and relative to the history of this state, and for the accomplishment of other cognate objects of public interest; and Whereas, said society has agreed to do all of its work and to hold all of its collections of material for the use and benefit of all the people of this state, and the state is interested in prosecution and success of its objects, and should contribute aid to the same…”