By Ron Brown
 
November 18, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - After a full fiscal year of private operation, Jackson County libraries are nearly back to the same level of operation they were before closing in 2007.
 
Speaking to Jackson County commissioners Wednesday, Mark Smith, West Coast President of Library Systems and Service, Inc. said that even with reduced hours, attendance is almost where it was nearly three years ago. LSSI runs the Jackson County Library System.
 
"We have what I would characterize as a very energized and very supportive growing customer base. Folks that are coming in, recognizing what the library has to offer, using it and appreciating it and giving us that feedback on the service that we're providing," LSSI West Coast President Mark Smith said.
 
Smith says that compared to the fiscal year before county libraries closed, operating costs are down by about a third, from a little over $8 million to $5.4 million.
 
Another meeting with commissioners Thursday will outline long-term plans for the county's library system.