Opinion
Questioning Warren County Library Board Expertise and Motives
It’s a video with a surprise ending.
The Royal Examiner recently posted an interview with two members of the newly-minted Warren County Library Board (WCLB). The discussion primarily focused on their on-going dispute with Samuels Public Library (SPL) regarding their fractured relationship and opposing views about “facts.”
As the discussion was concluding, WCLB Chair Eric Belk said, “Their collection is aging. There are probably books that haven’t been checked out in 10 years. There needs to be a modernization effort. How can we make the collection where it should be?” That’s when the alarm bells sounded for me.
Three reasons:
- This jaw-dropping assumption is not supported by facts. SPL maintains collections that in the aggregate include 109,474 books and media. Any “shelf sitter” that has not been accessed for three years is “weeded”. There are a few exceptions such as the local history collection and books considered part of the “core collection”. Other items are culled early due to other factors such as poor condition or outdated information. In FY24, 10,119 items were added to the collections. To maintain equilibrium, an equal number of items need to be removed. (Come to the annual FOSL Book Sale to see just a portion of the items excessed).
- WCLB Member Veronica Ranieri was part of this interview. She claims to be a certified librarian yet apparently has not weighed in and provided the WCLB with the “Library 101” explanation of collection management. So who is their expert?
- The WCLB charter is limited to financial oversight and governance. The statement by Mr. Belk reflects an intent to cross over into collection management. Once there, it’s an easy reach for them to identify objectionable books for removal.
My view is admittedly biased – but it is informed. In my eight years and 1,500+ hours as a library volunteer, one of my jobs is assisting the talented library staff by reviewing the collections and recommending items for weeding.
The creation of the WCLB was a bad and unnecessary idea. Their intent to interfere in collection management is troubling.
Steve Earle
Front Royal
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