Michael Pritiken
Rural Library Project
Rural Library Project
The Rural Library Project is a program designed to put books into small, rural libraries, in our region, that have very limited funds for acquisitions. Recipient libraries are recommended and chosen each year by our member bookstores. At our annual Fall Show, vendors are asked to donate some or all of the sample books from their show displays -- rather than shipping them back to their publisher's warehouses. Our volunteers collect these books and give them to the chosen library. Our generous publishers and reps donate thousands of dollars worth of books each year to small libraries in the region. HERE is a complete history of the amounts donated.
2022 - Castle Rock Public Library - Castle Rock, WA
Sponsoring store is Vault Books and Brew, Castle Rock, WA
Castle Rock is a town with a population of 2,100. Our library was founded over 100 years ago and has grown to two rooms in a converted storefront in the main business district. Levy failures in recent years has meant a struggle to keep the library open and have current books available.
Watch or read the feature from KOMO News: https://komonews.com/news/erics-heroes/erics-heroes-the-lone-librarian
Sponsoring store is Vault Books and Brew, Castle Rock, WA
Castle Rock is a town with a population of 2,100. Our library was founded over 100 years ago and has grown to two rooms in a converted storefront in the main business district. Levy failures in recent years has meant a struggle to keep the library open and have current books available.
Watch or read the feature from KOMO News: https://komonews.com/news/erics-heroes/erics-heroes-the-lone-librarian
2021 - Blue River Library - Blue River, OR
In September of 2020 the Holiday Farm Fire destroyed small communities in the McKenzie River Valley, located to the east of Eugene, OR. One of the many losses that these communities faced in the aftermath of the fire was the loss of the library in Blue River, the O’Brien Memorial Library. The O’Brien Memorial Library was an important community hub for Blue River and the surrounding communities. Started in 1928 by schoolteacher Frances O’Brien, the library was created to ensure that the local school children had access to quality reading materials. The O’Brien Memorial Library has been serving the community of Blue River and the surrounding area for over 90 years and though devastated by fire, the citizens of the McKenzie River Valley have banded together to help rebuild this cornerstone of their community. Though they are still seeking donations, as of July, 2021 the O’Brien Memorial Library has reopened to the public in a temporary location at the Upper McKenzie Community Center.
2020 - no Fall Show due to COVID19
2019 - Mildred Whipple Library - Drain, OR
2018 - Scappoose Public Library - Scappoose, OR
2017 - Kalapuya High School - Eugene, OR
Chemawa Indian School - Salem, OR
Children's Book Bank - Portland, OR
Booked! - Portland, OR
2016 - Stanley Community Library - Stanley, ID (37 boxes of books worth $13,000)
2015 - Amity Public Library - Amity, OR (25 boxes of books worth $12,000)
2014 - Chinook Pass Lending Library - Naches, WA (30 boxes of books worth $12,500)
2013 - Wallace Public Library - Wallace, ID (31 boxes of books worth $14,000)
2012 - Craig Public Library - Craig, AK (30 boxes of books worth $15,000)
2011 - Warm Springs Community Library - Warm Springs, OR
2010 - Rainier Volunteer Library - Ranier, WA
2009 - Clearwater Memorial Public Library - Clearwater,ID
2008 - Darby Community Library - Darby, MT
Fall 2007 - Fossil Public Library - Fossil, OR
Spring 2007 - Roslyn Library, Roslyn, WA
Fall 2006 - Hooper Bay & White Mountain Libraries, AK
Spring 2006 - Scammon Bay Public Library, AK
Fall 2005 - Kamiah Public Library, ID
Spring 2005 - Lewistown Public Library, MT
Fall 2004 - Sherman County Public Library, OR
Spring 2004 - Kalama Public Library, WA
Fall 2003 - Willamina Public Library, OR
Spring 2003 - Soap Lake Public Library, WA
Fall 2002 - Sequim High School Library, WA
Spring 2002 - Lake Chelan School District, WA
Fall 2001 - Columbia City, OR
Spring 2001 - Neil Public Library, Pullman, WA
Fall 1999 - Kettle Falls Public Library, WA
Fall 1998 - Gustavus Public Library, AK
Spring 1997 - Enterprise, OR
Fall 1996 - Jefferson Co. Rural Library, OR & Port Townsend Public Library, WA
Fall 1995 - Tamarack Library Federation, MT
Spring 1995 - Mullen Public Library, ID
Fall 1994 - North Central WA Library Consortium
Spring 1994 - Plummer Public Library, ID
Fall 1993 - Waldport & Siletz Public Libraries, OR
Fall 1992 - Lakeview Public Library, OR