Notes from Harney County Library
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 After years in the making and a journey across the country at national film festivals, Not One Drop of Blood (82 mins) will come home for a special community screening in Harney County in association with The Harney County Historical Society, Harney County Library & Western History Room, and Desert Historic Theatre.
Not One Drop of Blood is the feature-length directorial debut of Jackson Devereux and Lachlan Hinton, produced in collaboration with Anna King. Shot entirely in Harney County, Oregon over a period of several years, the film blends patient, observational storytelling with deep community trust to paint a vivid portrait of rural life in the American West. The film skillfully weaves oral history interview audio excerpts of Harney County pioneer, Roy Heinz, and interviewer Pauline Braymen as a unifying thread throughout the story, grounding the present with glimpses of the past. The Heinz interview is but one of more than 500 oral histories of Harney County residents in the archives of the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room at the Harney County Library. Not One Drop of Blood began with a mystery that drew headlines: a series of unexplained cattle deaths that shook the ranching community. But beyond the headlines, filmmakers Jackson Devereux and Lachlan Hinton discovered a deeper story. The documentary intimately follows the people of Harney County—ranchers, families, and community members—navigating questions of tradition, survival, and change in the modern American West. “This film could not exist without the trust, generosity, and candor of the Harney County community,” said co-director Devereux. “It’s only fitting that the first place we bring it back is here, to the people whose stories it holds.” The screening will take place at Desert Historic Theatre on Tuesday October 21st at 6pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers at The Palace. Admission is FREE. Producer Anna King, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has long reported on the region, added: “This is more than a film about a mystery - it’s about people, resilience, and place. Sharing it here first is the most important step in its journey after film festivals.” EVENT DETAILS:
Anyone who would like to delve deeper into the cattle mutilation phenomenon in Harney County can read news items dating back to 1975 and other related documents in the files at the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room.
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 What began as one woman’s deep connection to Harney County has grown into a financial cornerstone securing the future of the Harney County Library. The Claire McGill Luce Fund, an endowment that has flourished over decades, stands as a testament to the power of foresight, philanthropy, and an enduring love for history and community.
A Pioneer Spirit Rooted in Harney County Born in 1923 near Andrews, Oregon, Claire McGill Luce spent much of her childhood on her grandfather’s ranch near Harney City. There, she developed a profound admiration for the early pioneers who settled the valley. Though life took her beyond Oregon, she remained deeply connected to her roots, returning often and maintaining strong family ties in the county. When plans emerged to replace the cramped Burns City Hall library with a new facility, Luce saw an opportunity to contribute. In a 1969 letter to Bob Salladay, she expressed her enthusiasm, writing, “The library is one of the most important things in Burns or Harney County in a very long time… Next week, Americans will land on the moon, and Burns finally will have an honest-to-goodness library. Let’s hope it is a fine one.” A Vision for Preserving History Luce’s commitment extended beyond a physical building—she envisioned a library rich in historical resources. In a 1970 letter to her friend George Hibbard, she lamented the loss of historical knowledge as early settlers passed away, writing, “It has long concerned me that the young people of Harney know so little about their natural heritage. As the ‘old-timers’ die, so die the memories of struggle and challenge unique to the prairie.” Her passion for history led her to establish an endowment of $30,000 for the library, to be distributed at $1,000 per year for 30 years. Luce passed away from cancer in 1971, but her legacy lived on. Her estate placed the remaining $29,000 in Time Inc. stocks, which were later transferred to the Harney County Library. Over the years, this endowment grew significantly. By 1996, the fund’s market value had surpassed $537,000, supporting key initiatives such as the recorded oral history program that began collecting pioneer stories in 1972. A Library’s Financial Transformation By the early 2000s, the fund had grown substantially, but legal constraints limited its earning potential. Recognizing an opportunity for greater financial growth, county officials and library leaders took action. In 2005, Harney County Judge Steve Grasty and the newly formed Library Foundation Directors negotiated the transfer of $1.75 million—accumulated from the original stock endowment—into the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), an organization specializing in nonprofit investment management. The results were remarkable: within a year, the fund earned $250,000 in interest. Today, the endowment has surpassed $3 million, with OCF employing a diversified investment strategy to maintain stable annual contributions. The Harney County Library Foundation receives approximately 4% of the fund’s 13-quarter rolling average balance each year, ensuring consistent support for library operations. The total contribution paid out of the Luce Fund to the county for the library through the end of 2024 is $1,161,859. Empowering the Future of the Harney County Library The funds generated by the endowment are instrumental in supplementing county allocations for the library. They cover essential expenses such as purchasing new books and digital resources, expanding community outreach programs, upgrading technology, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting staff development. Additionally, as an independent nonprofit, the Harney County Library Foundation plays a crucial role in securing grants to further Luce’s vision. One particularly impactful initiative, funded through grants in 2020, enabled the professional digitization of oral history recordings collected since 1972. These digitized archives, now available online, have provided hundreds of users with access to family histories, photographs, and invaluable anecdotes about Harney County’s pioneering past. A Lasting Legacy Thanks to Claire Isabel McGill Luce’s generosity and the stewardship of dedicated community leaders, the Harney County Library continues to thrive. What began as a heartfelt desire to preserve history has grown into a financial foundation ensuring that future generations will always have access to knowledge, heritage, and inspiration. Luce once wrote, “I found faith and courage in a place of ghosts, Harney City… There I became an American.” Through the library she helped build, her faith and courage live on, lighting the way for all who seek knowledge in Harney County.  Book recommendations from staff members of Harney County Library! All of these titles are available either in the catalog, at the library, or on one of our e-book/audiobook platforms. From Karen / That Wild Country by Mark Kenyon
From Beryl / Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl  This is the story of a former Berkeley hippie entering the corporate world and worrying about losing her soul. It highlights the moment restaurants became an important part of popular culture, a time when the rise of the farm-to-table movement changed, forever, the way we eat. FIND IT HERE: Catalog / Libby From Kristin / Horse by Geraldine Brooks From Travis / The Dogs Bark by Truman Capote
From Isabelle / Thirty Minutes Over Oregon : a Japanese pilot's World War II story by Marc Tyler Nobleman Expedition Backyard : exploring nature from country to city by Rosemary Mosco From Linda / Magazines at the Library like National Geographic, People, the Week and Time Magazines at the Library like National Geographic, People, the Week and Time grab my attention when new issues arrive. I love looking at the pictures and reading about places from all over the world, people and sometimes current events. In addition to what is available for check out at the Library, the Libby app has over 5,500 magazines to subscribe to for FREE. Every topic of interest can be explored. There are no loan limits, wait lists and no due dates. My current magazines on Libby are Quilting Arts, Love Patchwork and Quilting, Love of Quilting and Simply Sewing. When a new issue drops, I get a notification on my phone. I stopped buying quilting magazines; now, I can look at the current and back issues to spark my creative, obsessive endeavors without spending a dime. With your library card, you can check out magazines at the Library for 3 weeks at a time, or download them from Libby. Happy magazine binge reading!!! FIND IT HERE: Magazines on the Libby App From Cheryl / Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
 There are two boards that serve our library: Advisory Board and Library Foundation Board. Although they have different purposes, their main focus is support of our library.
The Advisory Board has 7 members: Barbara Skillman, Karen Hendrickson, Ramona Revak, Doug Furr, Kate Cunningham, Arthel Kline and Patty Dorroh, county commissioner. Primary responsibilities include proposing governance policies to the County Court for approval, approving an annual budget for the library, offering advice and community input regarding the operation of the library. They meet the last Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm; meetings are open to the public. Harney County Library Foundation Board is currently composed of 4 members: Fred Flippence, Myndi Hemphill, Mike Laiosa and Jean Seeley. This 501(c)3 nonprofit board manages the Claire McGill Luce endowment, fundraises and accepts donations, grants and gifts for support of the library. They meet the third Tuesday of the month at 5 pm; meetings are open to the public. We are so grateful to these people for volunteering their time and offering their support for our library. For more information: Harney County Library Foundation & Harney County Advisory Board  Our collection is home to a wide variety of self-improvement and skill-building materials. There are a few on display and MANY withing the stacks Here is a sampling to get you started. Listed below are books available at Harney County Library, as well as streaming services available through Hoopla. Click the image to see more information about the item! 
Available streaming on Hoopla (FREE with your library card):  
Available streaming on Hoopla (FREE with your library card):  
Available streaming on Hoopla (FREE with your library card):     Book recommendations from staff members of Harney County Library! All of these titles are available either in the catalog, at the library, or on one of our e-book/audiobook platforms. From Linda / Atlas Six by Olivie Blake  A group of the most talented magicians is selected for possible initiation into a secret society. Only five will be chosen. During the qualification year, this group will fight to survive and prove themselves the best. Available here: Catalog (order via Sage) / Libby App / Hoopla Isabelle / The Friday Night Club by Sofia Lundberg, et al.  Based on a true story of women artists in early 1900s, when the art world was dominated by men, this tells the story of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint. Hilma and her friends formed the club for emotional support as they pursued their passion. Available here: Catalog (order via Sage) Travis / Skyjack: The Hunt for DB Cooper by Geoffrey Gray  One of the great unsolved criminal cases of the 20th century: the only skyjacker never to be caught by authorities. Available here: Catalog (at HCL) / Libby App Beryl / Butter by Asako Yuzuki  Gourmet cook Manako Kajii sits in jail convicted of the serial murders of lonely businessmen, who she is said to have seduced with her delicious home cooking. No visitors until journalist Rika Machida writes a letter asking for her recipe for beef stew. Available here: Catalog (order via Sage + soon to be added to HCL) / Libby App / Hoopla Kristin / Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus  Set in a time when many believed a woman’s place was in the home, Elizabeth Zott is a scientist who finds the road to success very bumpy. Forging her own path, she eventually finds herself the star of a cooking show that sparks a revolution. Available here: Catalog (at HCL) / Libby App Cheryl / Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger  A bereaved musician embarks under sail in a not-too-distant America in search of his departed, deeply beloved, wife. He finds an increasingly desperate and illiterate people, a malignant billionaire ruling class, crumbled infrastructure, and a lawless society. His private quest for the love of his life sweeps up friends and foes alike.
Available here: Catalog (at HCL) / Libby App / Hoopla  A series that has caught my ear recently is the Lady Darby Mysteries by Anna Lee Huber. The first book, The Anatomist’s Wife, was published in 2012 & the latest book, A Fatal Illusion (Lady Darby Mystery, #11), was published last year. The Goodread's summary of The Anatomist’s Wife: "Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes. Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage—a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl. When Kiera and Gage’s search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…" I am currently listening to A Study in Death - book 4. This series is a little dark, but highlights the intellect and observational skills of a strong female character that doesn’t always conform to societal norms. Some books in series available at the Harney County Library - click here
All books in series available in the Sage System - click here E-Books (1-11) available on Libby - click here Audio (1-11) available on Hoopla - click here  Four pensioners in a retirement village form a club that meets in the Jigsaw Room on Thursdays. So far, so normal, right? But wait, these elders have formed a group they call the Thursday Murder Club, whose purpose is reviewing old, unsolved murder cases from files kept when one of them retired. Soon enough they have a real murder to solve. They may use their old age to insert themselves into the police case but their minds are sharp and the whole group is very resourceful. At times laugh out loud funny, other times so very sad, yet realistic in dealing with issues of aging, this whodunit is clever, witty and completely entertaining. If you like this book, there are 3 more in the series (so far). I think each one gets better! Large Print Book available at the Harney County Library - click here
Playaway Audio available at the Harney County Library - click here   The crumbling remains of a once bustling component of America’s National Air Defense Command system perches on the skyline from a mile-high butte overlooking the cities of Burns and Hines in Oregon’s southeastern corner. Following its closure and abandonment in 1970 after fifteen years of service, this former military installation has been a curiosity to visitors and area residents who only know the site as an eerie remnant from the Cold War era and a heavily vandalized teen hangout.
In an effort to capture the fast-disappearing knowledge of this fascinating chapter in Harney County history, the Harney County Historical Society, in conjunction with the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room at the Harney County Library and the Harney County Chamber of Commerce invites the public to a roundtable community discussion of the 634th Radar Squadron Burns Air Force Station, colloquially known as the Radar Base. Former military personnel, civilian employees, and families are encouraged to join us April 5th at 6 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce meeting room to share recollections, photographs, or other memorabilia of their experiences associated with the Radar Base. Several local community members who were stationed at the base for a time will begin the discussion by recounting their own experiences. Seventy years ago, in April 1954, construction began on the 31-acre military facility atop Burns Butte that would house the 634th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron tasked with operating and maintaining search radar sets and height-finder radars. Distinctive rubberized “bubbles” protected the delicate radar electronics from the harsh environment atop the butte. The Burns installation was one of many radar sites and “gap fillers” along a Pacific coast route known as the “Pine Tree Line” –part of the first coordinated system for early detection of a Soviet bomber attack on North America. Rapidly evolving jet and missile technology led to modifications in most of these early detection systems which then joined the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) defense system. The Burns Radar Base was planned as a small community within itself, having many of the same facilities found in any town: housing, cafeteria style dining hall, independent water supply, recreation room and sporting equipment, mail room, etc. in addition to twenty Quonset barracks buildings, an officer’s quarters, two supply houses, two warehouses, well house and a headquarters building. In June 1955, an advance group consisting of a commander and eight men arrived at the site, followed by upwards of 70 enlisted men and their families. At the time of closing in 1970, the base supported twenty civilian employees and 106 Air Force officers and enlisted personnel. The roundtable event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Harney County Historical Society. Phone: 541.573.5618 Email: [email protected] Learn more about the history of the Burns Radar Base in the files at the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room and through our online digital archives.  More exciting news from the library! Isabelle, our Youth Services Coordinator, has spearheaded a project that involves our beautiful library park, library teen advisory board, and a talented local muralist. As of this week, we have nearly reached our fundraising goal of $4,500.
We began raising money in December of last year. We were gifted some gorgeous handmade butterfly-themed ornaments created by talented volunteers and sold them for $5, $10, and $20. Many folks made individual donations and we also received some assistance from the Harney County Library Foundation to cover the initial deposit. In the past couple months, Isabelle has reached out to local businesses and received many generous contributions. These businesses will be featured on display panel adjacent to the art installation. Want to know more about the mural? This public art project consists of a large mural that will be painted by teen volunteers and Tori Schmidt, artist and owner of Sage DesignWorks, on an exterior wall of the Harney County Library. The surrounding space is currently home to a seasonal interactive StoryWalk and tons of native plants, including milkweed! The mural itself depicts several monarch butterflies and milkweed in bloom. We are still just $500 short of the goal ($523 to be exact)! If you would like to make a small individual contribution, please visit the Foundation’s donation page. If you are a business owner and are interested in making a larger gift, please reach out to Isabelle at [email protected]. We feel incredibly grateful for the community’s support and cannot wait for the weather to warm up so we can get started! |
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