Samuels Public Library Meeting Highlights Voices on Censorship and Community Needs

Front Royal community steps up to defend library services and First Amendment Rights.

In an emotionally charged meeting at the Samuels Public Library on September 11, 2023, Front Royal citizens shared their passionate sentiments regarding the future and role of the community library.

Michelle Kearns, a Front Royal resident who moved to the town seven years ago, reminisced about her cherished memories of libraries and their importance in fostering creativity. “Our library would give us a topic, and everyone would write on it… It was so respectful of our First Amendment,” Kearns emphasized. Advocating for the continued support of the library, she emphasized its central role in community outreach, concluding, “It would devastate this community if [the library] were to shut down.”

Terry Jenkins followed by reading an impactful statement from Professor Richard Anthony Lewis, a professor of library ethics. Lewis highlighted the foundational role of public libraries in defending individuals’ rights to seek and access information without restrictions. Drawing a direct line from Benjamin Franklin’s intentions in establishing America’s first library, Lewis posed the question, “When was the last time the group that advocated censorship was on the right side of history?”

Chip Stewart, a Front Royal resident, turned the discussion towards the legal implications of potential library censorship. He issued a stern warning against the perceived violation of the First Amendment and the dangers of targeting LGBTQ+ content. Stewart referenced the Virginia Values Act, which expanded protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. “Every removal request motivated by LGBTQ issues requests the county to engage in illegal activity,” Stewart cautioned, urging the board to act in the best interest of the library’s patrons.

Author Aliza Lane, through Valerie Menteer, voiced concerns over the challenge to her book at the library. Lane emphasized the importance of her work in offering support to LGBTQ+ children navigating difficult circumstances. Her words were a poignant reminder of the struggles of previous generations, saying, “I reach out for them because I miss them.”

Steve Foreman expressed concerns over one-party rule in the county, highlighting the potential negative implications of the Board of Supervisors exerting control over the library. Drawing attention to past governance missteps and potential censorship biases, Foreman questioned, “How can the public trust the board to determine what is suitable for someone else’s child?”

The meeting gave voice to a community deeply invested in preserving the library’s role as a beacon of free speech, community support, and diversity.

Watch the Samuels Public Library Meeting of September 11, 2023, on this exclusive Royal Examiner video.