Call for Pause: The Need for Review of Library Board Ordinance

Comments on Proposed Ordinance to Establish a Warren County Library Board

If the proposed ordinance is a legitimate effort to increase library governance for the sake of improving efficiency, then I –

STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT THE MOTION BE TABLED PENDING FURTHER REVIEW

If, instead, the proposal is a charade to obscure some other agenda and the votes are in, you need read no further.

Here is why I think delay is essential:

1. The BoS “facts” as contained in the 11/12/24 “Debrief’ are shockingly at odds with the “facts” delivered by Samuels during recent Q&A sessions. If facts are important in driving this narrative, then the sides should meet to address and reconcile the discrepancies.

2. The BoS has never shared evidence of fraud, waste, abuse or inefficiency in Samuels Public Library. Regular audits have always been clean. So, there is irony in claiming the need for a wasteful layer of bureaucratic oversight. The report (page 18) notes “Non-profit is not Synonymous with More Efficient.” True, but does that drive a conclusion that “Greater Governance is Synonymous with More Efficient”?

3. Since approximately 80% of the current county funding goes to salaries and benefits, do Supervisors see efficiency opportunities by cutting staff and/or reducing salaries? And, if so, what associated programs and services would be affected?

4. Beware of unintended consequences. A recent survey of library volunteers (albeit a small sample size) indicates that at least 75% would not volunteer for a WCLB-led library and more than 95% would stop donating money. Current volunteer hours equate to more than 4 full-time staff positions, thus the new paradigm would lose 3 man-years (equal to $210,000). Add a precipitous decline in overall donations and it is reasonable to conclude an inefficiency of at least $400,000 (to make the math easy). Now check the unsupported example in the report (page 11) “a 10% efficiency improvement in library services could fund an additional first responder position.” So if the reality becomes a 40% inefficiency, is Warren County willing to cut four first responder positions or would the county simply add more debt? And this could become more dire if new governance jeopardizes state contributions to the library.

5. If the WCLB is put in place for more governance of Samuels, then it becomes merely a pass-through for budget requests and funding. As a 501c(3) organization, Samuels cannot take direction from a government entity. And, if a different service-provider is chosen, the initial cost would be enormous since Samuels owns all books, media, equipment, etc. in the Criser Road Facility and has a lease to remain in that building for 15 more years.

6. Some people strongly believe “An Ordinance Adding Chapter 7, Library Board, to the Warren County Code of Ordinances” needs work. I’ll let others address the perceived flaws. My only comment is that to achieve greater taxpayer oversight, the ordinance does not require WCLB members to be Warren County residents.

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Earle
Front Royal

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