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SAMUELS PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BEEN FUNDED UNTIL JUNE 30th, 2025
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What's an MOA?
9/6/23 BoS New Proposed MOA
8/24/23 Samuels Library Revised MOA
8/17/23 Rejected MOA
Save Samuels
Home
Information Packet
Save Samuels
Save Samuels
We Speak
In The News
The Books
The Books
FOIA Requests
The Book Banners
Resources
Contact the Board
Events
Member Links
Petitions
Resources
What's an MOA?
9/6/23 BoS New Proposed MOA
8/24/23 Samuels Library Revised MOA
8/17/23 Rejected MOA
More
Home
Information Packet
Save Samuels
Save Samuels
We Speak
In The News
The Books
The Books
FOIA Requests
The Book Banners
Resources
Contact the Board
Events
Member Links
Petitions
Resources
What's an MOA?
9/6/23 BoS New Proposed MOA
8/24/23 Samuels Library Revised MOA
8/17/23 Rejected MOA
In The News
Samuels Library sends 2nd revised MOA to Warren supervisors
The 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 Schools
The 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 Controversy
A 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 Stories
Save 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 Agreement
Melody 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 debate
The 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 challenged
A 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 Needs
Front 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 MOA
At 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 1
Samuels 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+ books
Samuels 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 Library
A 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 County
It’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 Issues
Royal 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 books
The 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 Issues
What 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 Cards
On 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 books
In 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 community
Supporters 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 Programs
A 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 process
Melody 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 discrimination
Before 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 controls
Emotions 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 books
The 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 2023
The 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 Library
A 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 Award
On 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 [...]
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