Residents urge Warren County supervisors to disband library board and restore Samuels Public Library funding

Dozens of residents used the board’s public‑comment periods to press for immediate action on Samuels Public Library and to criticize the county’s appointed library board.

Aileen Dierig (Happy Creek District) said she was "here to call on this new Board of Supervisors to disband the Warren County Library Board, reopen talks with Samuels Public Library, and to restore the library's funding and negotiate a new memorandum of understanding." Colleen Snyder (Shenandoah District) argued the county library board "proved to be a waste of time and money" and praised Samuels Public Library’s fiscal record and community role. Amy Ratliff credited high voter turnout to the library issue and urged the board to "disband that library board and then turn to peaceful and productive talks."

Speakers described the library as "a jewel" and urged the newly seated majority to follow through on campaign promises to restore funding. Several public commenters tied procedural proposals before the board — including adopting Robert's Rules and new sponsorship requirements — to efforts they said would make it harder for a new pro‑library majority to act.

Board members acknowledged the volume of public interest; some speakers and supervisors also raised concerns about how closed sessions and legal spending have been handled in recent years. No formal policy to disband the library board was adopted during the meeting; however, the strong public pressure and recurring calls for restored funding were a dominant theme of the evening’s public comment.

The board is expected to address library funding and related policy items in upcoming meetings or work sessions as members and staff consider next steps.