Jefferson County Library District has a new ask for voters: a $15.5 million bond measure on the May 19 ballot that would build a modern, 14,000-square-foot library in Madras and establish a new branch in Culver — and this time, the district has deliberately designed it to be more affordable and more county-wide in its reach.
What the Bond Would Build
The revised plan focuses on a new Madras library building to replace the existing 6,000-square-foot facility completed in 2002. That building — less than half the size being proposed — has become too small to accommodate the district's programs, staffing, and community demands.
The bond would also fund a Culver branch. The library district has already purchased a location at 211 C Street in Culver, making the establishment of a southern county branch a near-term reality if voters approve funding.
Library planners have emphasized that the new plan serves the entire district — not just Madras. Communities including Warm Springs, Culver, Ashwood, Big Muddy, Metolius, and Camp Sherman were specifically named as part of the district's vision.
"Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers," officials said in describing the project's purpose.
A Leaner Ask After Last Year's Failure
Jefferson County voters rejected a $22.5 million library expansion bond in May 2025. The new proposal trims that request significantly — cutting roughly $7 million in scope — by focusing on a smaller Madras footprint and prioritizing the Culver branch over other potential expansions.
The district had also briefly considered a $20 million plan before settling on the current $15.5 million proposal, which it described as the most efficient path to meaningful improvement.
The Case For and Against
Supporters argue that the existing library is dangerously undersized and that a modern facility would serve as a community anchor — providing space for after-school programs, digital literacy training, job search assistance, and community gatherings in a county that lacks many such public spaces.
Opponents may point to the property tax impact in a county where cost of living pressures are already significant. The exact tax rate impact per $100,000 of assessed value has not been widely publicized in available materials.
How to Vote
The library bond measure will appear on the May 19 primary ballot alongside the county commissioner races. Ballots were mailed to all registered voters. Drop boxes are available at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Madras, Culver City Hall, and other locations. The deadline to return ballots is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.