Top

A Sense of Place is funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 

The mission of the nonprofit Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) is to create and deliver opportunities for 21st century public library services in the region.

LEO serves 51 public libraries in 15 counties - an economically depressed region that encompasses 54,805 square miles.

Many LEO libraries continue to operate at less than $16 per capita per year - or less than the cost of one hardcover book.

Among all LEO libraries, less than 10% have any funding whatsoever in their annual budgets for adult or community programming. Aside from LEO, library programs for lifelong learners occur rarely, only as volunteer presenters can be found, or unfortunately, not at all.

Powered by Squarespace

A Sense of Place is the theme developed by Libraries of Eastern Oregon (LEO) for its wide range of community programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Under this common theme, these programs immerse a disadvantaged, rural population in learning opportunities for self-enrichment and civic engagement.

The broad theme can relate to a physical place or a mental place. To that end, presenters connect their programs to a unique physicality that is Eastern Oregon, or to concepts of place that provoke comparative thought to the rural experience or to our lives within it. Programs are delivered in-person or electronically via videoconference.

Partners to A Sense of Place include the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Oregon Council for the Humanities, Portland State University, Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, rural museums in Eastern Oregon and a host of individual scholars, authors and persons of many talents.

A Sense of Place also calls for lasting partnerships to be formed among rural public libraries, rural museums, local art association and other providers of informal learning within the region. Such collaboration encourages sharing of resources such as small exhibits of local art or museum and library collections, enhancing each cultural institution separately and holistically.

Considered a national pilot, A Sense of Place brings the excitement of distant metropolitan offerings to the most remote communities in Eastern Oregon while also acknowledging the importance of the region's own culture. The role of the public library and its place in the rural community is strengthened by outreach both distant and near.