Northern Neck Times

Samuels Public Library in Front Royal, Va., is on the brink of closure as the Warren County Board of Supervisors has withheld public funding following allegations of reported pornographic books largely centered around LGBTQ+ themes. The library's fate hangs in the balance amid a contentious debate over its collection and public support.  

“The county has the responsibility to ensure that the taxpayers’ dollars are being appropriated in a manner that serves all the citizens of Warren County," a county proposal said, according to the Daily News Record.

The public county library faces the prospect of closure due to allegations from the group called Clean Up Samuels Library for allegedly housing "pornographic books," which primarily explore LGBTQ+ themes, The Guardian reported. The Warren County library had its public funding withheld by the county board of supervisors since July, leading to financial difficulties and a scheduled closure Oct. 1.

Proposed agreements between Warren County and Samuels Public Library reveal a significant disagreement over the library's operational structure, which arose after complaints about certain books led the board of supervisors to withhold 75% of the library's budget allocation in June, Daily News Record reported. 

Despite the public release of draft Memorandums of Agreements, the specifics of the proposals remain undisclosed, as negotiations between the two parties continue, according to Daily News Record.  

The supervisor's proposal, given the library's reliance on Warren County for most of its operating funds, aims to establish conditions for the allocation of county funds and suggests a restructuring of the library's board of trustees. The proposal suggests existing trustees may serve out their terms but must adhere to the new appointment process, with supervisors and school board members appointing trustees from different districts and holding authority over the executive committee, while the library would need to amend its articles of incorporation and bylaws to align with these changes, Daily News Record said.

The county's proposal underscores its responsibility to ensure taxpayers' funds are used in a manner that serves all Warren County citizens while respecting their interests, but it also acknowledges the need to protect the rights of all citizens, according to Daily News Record. 

Notably, a similar proposal in 2017, suggesting county management of the library, was rejected due to concerns about potential loss of independence, donations, volunteer support and increased personnel expenses for the county, Daily News Record reported.

The library's draft MOA provides historical context by highlighting that the county cannot dictate the library's operations, as stated in the 2017 MOA that expired in 2021. The county's proposed agreement stipulates only county funds can be used to acquire books and materials, with the remaining funds allocated for salaries and operational expenses, without an additional budget allocation for book purchases, Daily News Record said. 

Currently, the library's collection is funded by state money, while Warren County taxpayer contributions are reserved for operational expenses. Library board President Melody Hotek said the library has never contained obscene materials and must adhere to Virginia library code requirements to receive state funding, which is contingent on local funding levels, Daily News Record reported.