Ray Miao resigns from Deschutes Public Library Board; applicants sought to fill position
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes Public Library District is seeking applicants to fill a newly vacant board position after the resignation of longtime board member Ray Miao.
The vacancy is in Zone 4, which serves Deschutes County precincts 2, 4, 9, 12, 21, 25, 33, 43 and 44 in east and southeast Bend. Any elector residing within these precincts is qualified to serve as a board member. A precinct map can be found on the Deschutes County Clerk’s website at www.deschutes.org/clerk/page/precinct-and-district-maps.
Applications can be made online at www.deschuteslibrary.org/about/board/applications/board_application. All applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, to be considered.
The Deschutes Public Library Board holds monthly meetings the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. as well as periodic subcommittee meetings and Board planning sessions.
Board member Ray Miao resigned his position as the board member representing Zone 4 on Wednesday morning, creating the immediate vacancy.
Library Director Todd Dunkelberg said Miao submitted his resignation via email, stating:
"I am honored to be one of the founders of the Deschutes Public Library District. I am fortunate to have been elected to serve on the Board of Directors since its inception in 1998. The original board and library management was able to take our library system from one in which all the libraries were closed to one of the best in the state. We did this by ensuring that La Pine, Sunriver, Bend, Sisters and Redmond had community libraries that provide library services equitably and were easy to access.
I went into public service to make a positive contribution to the lives of people and enhance the quality of life in all our communities. I serve on the boards of the Rural Fire Protection District #2 and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon. I have decided that I want to devote more of my time to these organizations, which have a positive impact on people’s lives. Therefore, I am resigning my position on the Deschutes Public Library District board effective March 13, 2024.
Ray Miao"
Dunkelberg said, "We did not have any contentious issues leading up to this announcement." He said the board is prepared to interview candidates on March 28, the day after the deadline, and make an appointment before its next regular board meeting in April.
Miao won re-election to the library board last year in a contested race, having drawn attention with his opposition to the library district's plans to build its new central library at Stevens Ranch, in SE Bend.
About the Deschutes Public Library
The Deschutes Public Library is located in the high desert of Central Oregon and serves more than 200,000 Deschutes County residents though libraries in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver. The Library’s mission is to enrich the community through equitable, open access to books, services and resources that inspire people to reach for their dreams. Outreach services to senior centers, day care providers, homebound residents and unhoused residents are an integral part of the Library. In addition to its buildings, the Library’s website provides access to hundreds of thousands of books and other resources. The Library also offers free and dynamic cultural programming, classes and story times.
