SAMUELS PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BEEN FUNDED UNTIL JUNE 30th, 2025

In The News

Samuels Library sends 2nd revised MOA to Warren supervisorsThe Samuels Public Library board of trustees met in closed session Thursday to draft a revised operational agreement with Warren County.

Right-Wing Activists Are Trying to Take Over Virginia's SchoolsThe same tide of parental rage that swept Gov. Glenn Youngkin into power is poised to transform school boards across the commonwealth

Virginia Library Temporarily Avoids Closing Over LGBTQ+ Books ControversyA temporary lifeline for Samuels Public Library fuels a broader struggle over free speech, discrimination, and community values as residents and officials clash over LGBTQ+ books.

Community’s Fiery Call for Library Funding: The Power of the People and Their StoriesSave Samuels and Warren County Residents Band Together in Support of Public Libraries. In today's digital era, it's a refreshing sight to witness communities rally for traditional establishments. This past week, Warren County painted a picture of unity and passion as the Save Samuels movement, alongside Defensive of Democracy, organized a lively event emphasizing the significance of [...]

Updated: Samuels Public Library Board Rejects Warren County’s Funding AgreementMelody Hotek Addresses Key Points on the Recent Decision. The Board of Directors at Samuels Public Library voted against accepting the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) presented by Warren County on September 14, 2023. This decision comes after intensive internal discussions, hinting at the importance of the agreement to the library's functioning. Speaking to the Royal Examiner, Melody [...]

Warren County tries to control local library in LGBTQ+ book debateThe library and county supervisors are locked in a stalemate that could cause the library to close in October even though it is in the midst of a banner year.

Virginia library faces potential shutdown over funding after children's books are challengedA Virginia library that traces its roots to the 18th century could soon be shuttered over a dispute about children’s books that expose readers to gay, lesbian and transgender characters.

Samuels Public Library Meeting Highlights Voices on Censorship and Community NeedsFront Royal community steps up to defend library services and First Amendment Rights. In an emotionally charged meeting at the Samuels Public Library on September 11, 2023, Front Royal citizens shared their passionate sentiments regarding the future and role of the community library. Michelle Kearns, a Front Royal resident who moved to the town seven years ago, reminisced about her cherished [...]

Samuels Library board retains two books, outlines intention to draft workable MOAAt its meeting Monday night, the Samuels Public Library board of trustees voted to retain in its collection two books that had been requested for removal while trustees board President

Book Banners May Force Closure of a Virginia Public Library October 1Samuels Public Library in Front Royal, Virginia, may close October 1 if the county board gives into the demands of 53 book banners.

Virginia library at risk after rightwing push to defund it over LGBTQ+ booksSamuels Library set to close on 1 October after far-right community members claimed LGBTQ+ books were pornographic

Monthslong Campaign of “Baseless Claims and Conspiracy Theories” May Lead to Shutdown of VA LibraryA county public library in Virginia may close as soon as October 1 after a monthslong campaign to remove what an activist group calls “pornographic books.” PEN America said the potential closure of the library due to a campaign of baseless claims and conspiracy theories is “deeply alarming.”

Samuels Library rejects MOA, sends a new draft version back to Warren CountyIt’s back to the drawing board for an agreement between the Warren County Board of Supervisors and Samuels Public Library.

Library Interim Director, Trustees Board Chair Move Forward With Hope on Mutually Satisfactory Resolution on Youth Book IssuesRoyal Examiner contacted Samuels Public Library Operations Director and now Interim Director Eileen Grady and Samuels Board of Trustees President Melody Hotek following the August 4th announcement of the resignation of Samuels Public Library Director Michelle Ross "to explore career opportunities at larger libraries." Meeting with Grady and Hotek in the Samuels Director's [...]

Samuels library director resigns amid controversy over banning booksThe Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of its library director in a special emergency meeting Thursday evening.

Non-Agenda Item Public Comments Explode in Pointed Criticism of County Board Budget Process Among Other IssuesWhat appeared to be a pretty light Warren County Board of Supervisors agenda was rocked by an explosive Public Comments on non-agenda items segment near the meeting's outset (beginning at 1:48 mark of linked County video). While the board eventually got down to agenda business, including a 12-item Consent Agenda of topics to be authorized for public hearing at the August 22 meeting, [...]

Samuels Public Library Adopts Increased Parental Control CardsOn the morning of August 1st, the Richmond firm of McGuire Woods Consulting LLC, working with Samuels Public Library on its policy review related to the call for removal of some 134 books related to LGBTQ+ themes cited as "pornography" by critics tied to the CSL (CleanUp Samuels Library) group, issued a press release on one result of that review. The announced result is the [...]

Public libraries are the latest front in culture war battle over booksIn Front Royal, Va., a battle is brewing over books at the local public library that some say are objectionable, and the library could lose its funding over the issue.

Samuels supporters demand release of the library budget, support for LGBTQ communitySupporters of Samuels Public Library asked the Warren County Board of Supervisors to release the remainder of the library’s budget and show support for the LGBTQ community during the public

Elks Lodge 2382: Two Decades of Supporting Samuels Library’s Children’s ProgramsA Generous $3,000 Donation Marks Another Year of Continued Support from the Elks Lodge. In a heartwarming ceremony at Samuels Library, Michal Ashby, the Youth Services Supervisor, and Michelle Ross, Executive Director of the Samuels Public Library, acknowledged the unyielding support of Elks Lodge 2382. Situated at 4088 Guard Hill Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630, the lodge's board has, for [...]

Samuels Library trustees defend collection, staff, and review processMelody Hotek, incoming president of Samuels Public Library’s board of trustees, wants to be clear about the books in the library.

Supervisors Tackle Light Agenda — But First There Were Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items (hint – public reading material)Before the Warren County Board of Supervisors headed into what at least appeared to be a fairly routine agenda, with three "Unfinished Business" items -- delayed votes on two Conditional Use Permits on Short-term Tourist Rental applications and renewal of the "Animal Impound Agreement" with the Humane Society of Warren County and its Julia Wagner Animal Shelter -- there [...]

Warren's Democratic Committee says removing LGBTQ books is discriminationBefore the Warren County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to withhold 75 percent of the Samuels Public Library budget appropriation, the board received word of possible legal action if the

Samuels Library trustees vote to keep books and add parental controlsEmotions ran high Monday evening as the Samuels Public Library Board of Trustees retained three books requested for removal and created a slate of policy changes.

Funds still being withheld from Virginia library over concerns of sexually explicit booksThe Warren County Board of Supervisors recently voted to put the full budget for Samuels Public Library on hold amid concerns over sexually explicit material.

Library defunding/book removal advocates, Samuels Library defenders clash on D-Day 2023The Fiscal Year-2023/24 budget public hearing of Tuesday evening, June 6, may have inadvertently, yet appropriately, been scheduled for the 79th anniversary of D-Day, the pivotal Allied invasion of the Nazi Germany-led fascist Axis's "Fortress Europe" that turned the tide of World War 2 on the western European front. For what transpired inside and outside the Warren County [...]

Former campaign consultant is vocal critic of Samuels LibraryA former consultant to a local politician’s campaign has been an outspoken critic of Samuels Public Library and its collection policy.

Michal Ashby, children’s librarian receives the Elks Distinguished Citizenship AwardOn March 15, 2023, Michal Ashby, children’s librarian at Samuel’s Public Library, received the Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award. “For Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Humanity,” the award was presented by Lodge 2382 of Front Royal. “The award from Elks Club was the most significant professional honor of my life,” Ashby said. “The people I have met in that group have been some of the [...]

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse