Who We Are

The Harney County Public Library is located at 80 West "D" Street in Burns, Oregon. The Library provides free services to all residents living within the County boundaries with services available to all others for a fee.

The library has approximately 28,000 items in its collection.  Formats include:  books, books on tape and CD, videotapes and DVD's, periodicals, reference books, homeschooling materials, and a non-circulating Western History and Oral History Room collection.  A public access computer room is also available for patrons and visitors for one hour of use per day.

In total, thousands of items were checked out of the system during fiscal year 2007-2008! In addition to these items, thousands of people entered the library to utilize print and electronic reference resources, access the Internet through the Library’s fiber-optic connection, participate in computer and Internet training, view a Library exhibit, or attend one of the Library’s many events.

Our friendly and professional staff is eager to serve you. Welcome to the Public Library!

Harney County Library Foundation

Our Mission

The mission of the Foundation is to expand and improve the services of the Harney County Library, while meeting the changing needs of our patrons.

The purpose of the Foundation exists to support the Harney County Library by providing a vehicle for tax deductible charitable donations, gifts and bequests.

The Foundation was established in October 2000 as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) corporation and it's Board of Directors is made up of community volunteers.

• President - Debbie Ausmus
• Vice President - Helen Hardwick
• Secretary - Florence Merritt
• Treasurer - Carla Burnside
• Grants Coordinator - Linda Beck
• Volunteer Liaison - vacant
• Outreach Coordinator - Fred Flippence

Library Funding

General library services are funded through the Harney County General Fund and a portion of the Claire McGill Luce Fund which is managed by the Foundation. The Luce Fund was released to the Library Foundation in July 2006 by the Harney County Court. A spending agreement between the Library Foundation and the County Court guides expenditure of these funds. The Library Foundation has invested the Fund with the Oregon Community Foundation as an Endowed Fund.

Additional donations and bequests are also managed by the Library Foundation for a variety of library programs.

Why give to the Library Foundation?

Giving to the Library Foundation allows the library to use donations in a timely manner and in a way that is consistent with the wishes of the donor.

Charitable donations offer practical tax advantages whether you give now or provide a mechanism for the foundation to receive your gift in your will or living trust.

A gift to the library is both visible and tangible. It has the potential to influence and impact thousands of minds for decades to come.  Some people find that giving to the library is a way that they can honor the memory of a loved one.  A gift to the library may be an expression of gratitude for the gifts a good library has to offer -- stimulation for inquiring minds, real solutions to practical problems, amusement, inspiration, wisdom, and the history of individuals and events which color our past.

To make a donation or to inquire about the Foundation please contact the Harney County Library Foundation at 80 West "D" Street, Burns, Oregon 97720, Phone: (541) 573-6670 or feel free to contact any member of the Board of Directors listed above.