By Ron Brown
 
March 8, 2010
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - The Southern Oregon Historical Society is changing directions following several years of struggling with reduced funding.
 
The 62-year-old organization is focusing more on the preservation of its large collection of artifacts, photos and documents than its museum displays.
 
"We preserve things that were actually used by people. And we do that because we're trying to preserve them for future generations. But there's no purpose in saving them unless we're educating people as well. So we do that through exhibits, but we also do it through running a research library that people have access to," SOHS Director Allison Weiss said.
 
The society is currently recruiting volunteers to help patrons use the research library. 20 are currently being trained with a goal of having 50 ready by the time the library re-opens in May.