Support Rural & Remote Libraries in Oregon

Oregon’s rural & remote libraries offer much more than books. They are a welcome space for everyone. They’re vital community hubs where people can access an abundance of resources—for free. People can borrow tools; get online and apply for jobs; read and request books, attend story-time events; research housing services; and make connections with others. Libraries are often seen as democracy drivers because they make information accessible and reliable for everyone.

Watch the videos below to learn more about how Oregon’s rural and remote libraries ensure a healthy sense of  belonging within those they serve; pool resources and share books; and how you can contribute to the future of these essential ‘third places’ in our society.

Voices of Rural Oregon Libraries

Rural Oregon Libraries

Sage Program

Local History Preservation

News & Highlights

Union Carnegie Library Farm to Table

When lead librarian Tiffany Derichsweiler saw the theme for 2026 was “farm to table” she knew it would be perfect for the Union Carnegie Library, located in Union County, a rural corner of Northeastern Oregon.

Libraries of Eastern Oregon: A Shared Resource

Rural public libraries are essential to the vitality of rural communities. Beyond ‘the place to borrow books,’ libraries can serve a multitude of community functions: the polling place, the host of community gatherings, summer student lunch distribution and more.

Episode #6 | Season 2: Libraries as Democracy Drivers with Stephanie Chase

Stephanie Chase is the Founding Principal of the Constructive Disruption consultancy and the Executive Director of the Libraries of Eastern Oregon, a resource sharing cooperative covering nearly 60,000 square miles in rural Oregon.

Oregon Black Pioneers partners with rural libraries to feature stories of Black history

Oregon’s largest African American historical society, is committed to sharing the experiences of people of African descent in every corner of our state.

Firing on All Cylinders: Tillamook High School Mechanics program

While many of Oregon’s trade electives like shop and welding have phased out of the offerings over the years, Tillamook High School has been able to keep these programs alive, thanks to dedicated staff like Johnny Begin.

Expanding support for Career Technical Education in Oregon

The Roundhouse Foundation has expanded its Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant program, assisting and encouraging community college students pursuing specific study areas.

Early School Success Academy and Teach Rural Oregon at EOS

Since 2003, Portland based nonprofit The Children’s Institute has been working to level the playing field for children who face institutional or systemic barriers to opportunity.

Lomakatsi Restoration Project develops Tribal Youth

Roundhouse Foundation is honored to support the Tribal Youth Ecological Forestry Training Program that Lomakatsi Restoration Project has developed in collaboration with the Board of Trustees of the Edison Chiloquin Trust Land, the Klamath Tribal Community and the US Forest Service.

Resources

Titles & Activities

Recommended Titles for School & Public Libraries

Roundhouse Foundation worked with library partners to compile recommendations for K-12 titles for the following subjects:

  • Tribal Histories/Shared Histories Book Recommendations
  • Pacific Northwest History Book Recommendations
  • Invention Picture Book Recommendations & Associated Activities

Use the tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet to select the associated subject.

Book Vendors

Find Your Local or Regional Bookseller

Roundhouse Foundation worked with library partners to compile a list of potential book vendors.

Vendors on this list are suggested as potential sources for purchasing materials. Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement. Grant recipients may purchase from any eligible vendor. For longevity of the books in your collection and to best support rural economies, we encourage you to use local or regional sellers. 

Podcast Episode

Stephanie Chase: Libraries as Democracy Drivers

Stephanie Chase is the Executive Director of nonprofit Libraries of Eastern Oregon, which serves and supports 39 public libraries in rural Oregon. She also serves on the executive board of the American Library Association and has spent years learning about community programming and library systems. She recognizes the critical role a library plays in its community by curating informed citizens, providing a place to gather, and offering much more than books on the shelves.

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Grant Opportunities for Rural and Remote Libraries

Library Collections & Programming Grants

Roundhouse offers grants to support either programming or collections development for K12 public school libraries (up to $2,000 for a single school or $5,000 per school district) and public libraries (up to $5,000) serving rural communities in Oregon. (For the purposes of this application, rural communities are defined with a population less than 40,000).

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Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance Grants expand access to professional development and technical assistance opportunities that strengthen the skills, talents, and capacity of grant partners in the nonprofit sector. Opportunities for skill development and strategic investments are highly valuable, and they can often be difficult to pay for. This pilot program aims to support the organizational investments most needed and most valuable.

Learn more >