FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The future leadership of Samuels Public Library in Warren County seems uncertain as some county leaders work to establish a whole new board with appointed members.
The nonprofit library in Front Royal was embroiled in drama last year after the Warren County Board of Supervisors initially withheld the full $1 million funding that it normally provides to address concerns over sexually explicit and pornographic books.
The county and library board of trustees eventually agreed on funding in late 2023 after weeks of strong opposition from both sides and roughly 800 complaints to review dozens of books. To this date, none of the books have been removed following extensive reviews.
Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees President Melody Hotek believes the lack of book banning prompted supervisors to pursue a new system that would give them another chance.
“We feel like their ultimate goal is to dismantle the library,” Hotek said. “It’s very clear and obvious to the public that we talk to on a daily basis at the library that they have a personal agenda for this and the real issue how they can remove books.”
However, Supervisor Richard Jamieson recently presented a report that said there’s an imbalance and “governing issues” associated with the library.
The 2023 Library Debrief and Research Sub-committee final report reflected Jamieson’s statements that despite the library being dominantly funded by the public, management is mainly private. The current 15-board member includes one representative from the county.
“Longstanding productive partnership between Samuels and the county has evolved into a substantial imbalance,” Jamieson said. “We have a situation that taxpayers fund but doesn't buy the governance of the body.”
Supervisor Vicky Cook also agreed it’s time to have board members appointed to replace the existing board.
“The library should be folded in with the other departments and nonprofits,” she said. “Costs are going to go up and we have to get our arms around it.”
However, Holtek and other library members argue the current makeup is an exact representation of taxpayers.
“It's very disheartening because the board members are all tax paying citizens of this county and are selected because of their expertise that will help govern this board,” Holtek added.
The library’s executive director Erin Rooney said they’re still in the process of reviewing all of the complaints. If the board is approved, she said, “we’ll do the best we can to make sure we’re still functioning.”
Supervisors are expected to meet Tuesday night to discuss making the public aware of the proposed plans. If passed, the new board will have five appointed members with different term limits.