Samuels Public Library Urges Supervisors to Protect Funding and Community Partnership

As the Warren County Board of Supervisors prepares for a pivotal vote on the future of Samuels Public Library, the library’s Board of Trustees is urging careful consideration of the long-term impact. In a public statement, the trustees highlight the library’s 225-year history of service, its role as a fiscally responsible community partner, and the potential consequences of funding decisions on tourism, economic growth, and public access to resources. With tensions high following last year’s book challenges, the board is calling for renewed dialogue to secure the library’s future and uphold its mission to enrich lives and strengthen the community.

The following is a press release from Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees:

The Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees are asking our elected Board of Supervisors to weigh tonight’s decisions very carefully.  They hold in their hands a 225 year-old award winning institution that is beloved by its citizens.  The far-reaching effects of this decision are unknown; future costs, degraded services, a hit to tourism, to an ability to attract new businesses and residents.

The current value and mission of Samuels Library is known; a fiscally sound, transparent and accountable partner bringing people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community.  Samuels Library is fulfilling its mission every day.

Each Supervisor will leave a legacy with this vote. 

It is not too late.  Let’s come to the table and talk like we used to, for the good of all the citizens of Warren County.

Partners

Samuels Public Library has been serving the people of Warren County and the Town of Front Royal in an official Partnership since Samuels Library became a nonprofit organization in 1978.   This has been an amicable relationship through the years until last year’s Book Challenges.  Yearly, the Warren County Supervisors informs the Library of the allocation for Library services and in turn, Samuels Public Library provides these services, making up for any shortfall for the actual cost of running the Library.  Through these joint efforts, Samuels Library has grown into an award-winning institution that is the very fabric of our community.

The last 3 years the County chose to flat-fund the Library while at the same time leveraging our nonprofit status and services for the taxpayer to save approximately 30% or $1,111,327 of actual expenses (according to our last 3 audits), and, an additional value equating to $750k in volunteer hours.

What we have witnessed this year and especially last week is a concerted effort, unbecoming of our elected officials and their agents to rewrite the facts.  While we prefer not to comment on the WCLB as we are in litigation, they have made allegations that must be repudiated and a response is warranted.

Assets

The Library provides a service to the County.  As with other nonprofit service providers the County engages with, we come with our own assets and expertise to get the job done.  Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees are well within their rights to make changes to our Articles of Incorporation as they deem necessary.

The changes to #10 Dissolution paragraph protect the assets purchased by Samuels Library through donations, fundraising and State funding. The changes to the Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

NO assets were purchased with County taxpayer dollars.  The collection and other assets are for EVERYONE in our community and we intend to continue to provide library services to the residents of Warren County for many years to come.

 FOIA

Samuels Library follows FOIA regulations. Period.  The meeting questioned by Mr. Belk was posted per FOIA regulations to our public calendar on 12/13/2024 at 11:30am for a 12/17 meeting to be held at 5:30 pm.  The announcement was also posted publically within the building in two locations.  The County’s Representative was included in the invitation.  This Special Meeting was open to the public. A Closed Session was convened.  Just as the BoS does not report on their discussions in closed sessions, FOIA does not require us to disclose our discussions. Minutes of that meeting reflect any votes taken and said minutes were voted on and approved at the Trustees bi-monthly meeting in January.

The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council states the following:

Local public bodies (§ 2.2-3707.2)

• Post on official public government website, if any
• If no such website, make copies available at a prominent public location in which meeting notices are regularly posted or the office of the clerk or chief administrator
• Post final minutes within seven working days of final approval

Together we ask you to rise above the divide and seek a path forward for the County with a new Funding Agreement for the coming year.

On behalf of the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees,
Melody Hotek, President
Erin Rooney, Library Director

About Samuels Public Library:

Originally founded in 1799 and renamed Samuels Public Library in 1952, it became the second library in the state to receive a charter and has served the citizens of Front Royal and Warren County for more than two centuries. In the past fiscal year, the library has added 2,204 new cardholders and held 542 in-person and virtual programs hosting 19,194 attendees. Attracting more than 127,000 visitors annually, the library logged 401,859 total checkouts last year. For more information on Samuels Public Library, go to: www.samuelslibrary.net