Already have an account? Log in here By submitting this form, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Email notifications are only sent once a day The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Life in the Piedmont – Our Daily Newsletter Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account A Virginia library that faced the threat of being shut down last year over its book offerings involving gay lesbian and transgender characters is once again at the center of controversy After a contentious public hearing Wednesday night, the Warren County Board of Supervisors has voted to place a governing body over the Samuels Public Library in Front Royal The supervisors voted 4-1 to install a public library board of directors; Chair Cheryl Cullers was the only “no” vote That decision stirred some residents who see the move as a way to give the conservative supervisors more leverage over Samuels which is currently controlled by an independent board run by a nonprofit organization called the Samuels Family Foundation The foundation has routinely challenged efforts by Warren County to control its operation The vote comes after the library faced the threat of being shut down in 2023 over a dispute about books that involve LGBTQ characters The county’s board of supervisors voted in June 2023 to withhold 75% of its appropriation to the library unless its board revises its bylaws to give the county more of a say in its governance But supervisors capitulated on that after public support to keep the library board intact With Tuesday’s vote changing over control some residents feel the library is once again being challenged Dozens of Warren County residents met in a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss their concerns about the matter Some expressed worry the library is spending too much public money for its operation “The reason that the libraries in Culpeper and Hanley are better managed is that their governing boards are appointed by elected officials accountable to taxpayers,” said Front Royal resident John Lundberg who compared the operating expenses of Samuels to other nearby public libraries But others attending the meeting said they were afraid the conservative supervisors would install conservative religious members on the library board who would eliminate books about LGBTQ+ and other transgender topics and I was concerned for the LGBTQ+ community here,” Joanna Artone was concerned about existing materials in the library “Our kids are being sexualized and exposed to materials that are totally inappropriate,” Carpenter said said religion exercises too much influence as it is “I’ve not seen anything tear our community apart like the f—— Catholic Church in our area,” Langlais said “There’s a bigger population here than this Catholic community,” she said telling supervisors their community is diverse and in need of strong leadership Supporters of the existing Samuels Public Library governing structure are threatening court action to overturn the board of supervisors’ ruling The Associated Press contributed to this report Editor’s Note: An earlier version had the incorrect last name for one of the people in the story Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.