Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Libraries topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Samuels Public Library reports increased visits, expanded services and new makerspace
Summary
Samuels Public Library directors told the Board of Supervisors that visitor counts, checkout totals and digital resource use rose in the first half of FY25, and described a new Mellon‑funded makerspace and digitization services.
Samuels Public Library Director Erin Rooney briefed the Warren County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 4 about the library’s six‑month performance metrics for FY25 and described new facilities and services funded by grants and donations.
Why it matters: Library operations and county funding support community services, literacy programs, public internet access and workforce resources. Trustees and supervisors use the reports to set funding priorities and review service outcomes.
Rooney reported a 3% increase in visitor counts through December 2024 compared with the same period a year earlier, a 4% rise in total checkouts and a 28% increase in database usage. The library recorded a large increase in demand for notary services (47% increase) and a 26% increase in volunteer hours. Rooney cited successful outreach events (teacher reception, National Night Out, community fun day) and summarized the library’s summer reading and community programming numbers.
Rooney described a new makerspace and digitization studio completed with Mellon grant funds. The studio has a Memory Lab for digitizing 8 mm film and other media, a Glowforge cutter/engraver, sublimation equipment for printing on textiles and tumblers, and appointment and walk‑in training hours. She said staff and community members have used the Memory Lab to digitize family film footage, including a Vietnam veteran’s recordings.
Michelle Leisure, Samuels’ treasurer, presented condensed midyear financials and said the library received $512,000 of the county’s $1,024,000 FY25 commitment as of midyear. Leisure said 92% of county funding supports salaries, taxes and benefits, and that donations and dedicated reserves have funded specific projects such as carpeting, a staff break room renovation and partial building maintenance.
Board members and the director discussed digitization plans, partnership with the Library of Virginia for historic newspapers, and continuing building repairs to address roof leaks.
Ending: Rooney asked supervisors to continue supporting the library’s state appropriation requests and noted the library’s ongoing efforts to expand digital preservation and public programming. The board did not vote on changes to library funding at the meeting; the presentation provided detail for future budget deliberations.
