Warren County supervisors approve ordinance creating county library board after hours of public comment

The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on Dec. 10 to adopt an ordinance creating a Warren County Library Board, a move supporters said would restore taxpayer representation over roughly $1.2 million in annual county funding and opponents warned could jeopardize an award‑winning public‑private partnership.

The vote followed an extended public hearing that ran into the late evening and featured well over a hundred speakers. Supervisor Jamieson, who co‑authored the report recommending the change, framed the measure as a routine alignment of governance with public funding: ‘‘Taxpayers provide the bulk of the funding for library services and should have representation,’’ he said during board discussion. Jamieson cited data in the committee report showing large shares of library funding coming from county, town and state sources and said a county board would allow competitive procurement and more direct fiscal oversight.

Library leaders and hundreds of supporters told the board that Samuels Public Library — a 225‑year‑old public‑private institution recently named Virginia Library of the Year — is well run, publicly audited and deeply embedded in the community. Erin Rooney, director of Samuels Public Library, disputed a figure in the board’s report and said the county’s average operating share “as of this year” is 69 percent, not the higher percentages cited in some materials, and asked for more time and collaboration before structural change. ‘‘We are willing and have always been willing to sit down and go through and explain how the library works,’’ Rooney said.

Friends of the library and volunteers warned that converting governance to a county‑appointed board could drive away donors, volunteers and grants. Chris Estes, president of the Friends of Samuels Library, described volunteers’ financial and in‑kind contributions — including thousands of hours of service and tens of thousands of dollars in fundraising — and said those resources risk being lost if management changes.

Proponents said the proposed library board would not immediately displace Samuels’ trustees, endowment or volunteers but would create a county body to set policy and oversee how taxpayer funds are spent. Supporters argued a delegated county board would allow the Board of Supervisors to focus on other county priorities while a specialized board handled routine oversight and procurement.

Opponents repeatedly asked the board to table the action, request an independent third‑party review, or hold a referendum. Speakers cited unresolved questions about residency and appointment criteria for the new board, the impact on Samuels’ nonprofit status and on a five‑year Mellon grant, and the lack of a detailed cost analysis about how services would be procured or replaced.

The board also considered and approved other items on the agenda. Earlier in the meeting the supervisors adopted an ordinance abolishing the County Finance Board and passed a resolution directing the county treasurer to invest county funds in accordance with state guidelines and to provide monthly reporting. The board approved a lease with the Warren County Sunfish for use of the Claudia Stokes Junior Community Swimming Pool.

What the board did: Votes at a glance - Ordinance establishing Warren County Library Board — Approved, 4–1 (Missus Cook Aye; Dr. Jamieson Aye; Madam Chair No; Mr. Butler Aye; Mr. Stanmeyer Aye). (Public hearing closed prior to the vote.) - Ordinance abolishing the County Finance Board — Motion passed by roll call (ayes recorded during meeting). - Resolution directing the County Treasurer to invest funds per state guidance and provide monthly reports — Adopted by roll call. - Lease with Warren County Sunfish for Claudia Stokes Junior Community Swimming Pool — Approved by roll call.

Next steps: The ordinance takes effect as adopted; if the new county library board begins work it will be tasked with setting policy and overseeing county‑funded library services and could commission a competitive procurement or evaluate service delivery options. Members and staff have said they will continue to press for collaboration and clarity on how the change would affect grants, donations, volunteer roles and operations. The board adjourned after the votes and closed the public comment period.

Reporting note: Quotes and specific financial figures are drawn from statements and questions recorded at the Dec. 10 public hearing, including the board’s published report and on‑the‑record responses from Samuels Public Library staff during the meeting.