It is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors to make informed decisions on behalf of the public. As our county continues to grow, do we want to pay the same amount in taxes or perhaps more to receive less resources? Here is a list of possible concerns you can share with the Board.
Multiple members have claimed that we can get the same resources for less money, but where is that information coming from? Where is the factual data that proves this?
All data available online shows that we would lose resources by being solely responsible for our own independent library because PRL's budget for the collection is shared by 3 counties currently, as opposed to one. If any member of the Board claims that it would cost less than $602,907 to give King William and West Point residents access to these same resources, they must stand by this claim and provide proof that they can do so.
Libraries exist to provide resources. What does Board Chair, Lindsay Robinson, mean when she says an independent library would improve services? Does she mean that we will have less books, movies, and mobile hotspots than we have now or more? Will they be open more hours? All democratically elected officials should be mandated to explain themselves fully and clearly when making decisions, and this is no different. If we will be losing resources in an effort to save money, we deserve to hear the truth directly from the Board.
Something that is oftentimes overlooked in discussions about the "King William library" is that the funds provided by King William County support both the Upper King William Branch Library, as well as the West Point Branch Library; located strategically to give patrons on either end of the county a library close by. If we create an independent library, will the branch in West Point close? Will West Point residents have to drive out of their way to access a library their tax dollars help support?
There has been no definitive answer from the Board of Supervisors as to whether the library in West Point will close. If it does close, will the independent library be located where the current Upper King William Branch is located in Central Garage? Will a new building be used? How much will renting that space cost? If it's not rented, will it be renovated to make it fit for library use? How much will the renovation cost? How much money will be set aside for renovations?
What we hope to achieve with this website is to ensure that all King William residents are given the respect they are due and provided the full truth from the Board of Supervisors, as this is the bare minimum that any elected official owes their constituents. We hope that anyone reading this, whether they support the creation of an independent library or not, takes the time to reach out to the Board of Supervisors to confirm whether this decision will lead to a reduction of resources, and if so, what resources this independent library will provide and the exact cost. If you would like to find the answer to these questions and would like to use the below email as a template, we invite you to do so.
Subject: Concerns Regarding Decision to Withdraw from Regional Library System
To the Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recent decision to withdraw from our regional library system. As a member of this community, I value the importance of our library services and the impact they have on our residents.
It has come to my attention that the decision to establish an independent library was made without thorough research and consideration of the consequences. Based on available information, it appears that this move will result in increased costs for the community while providing fewer resources and services compared to what the regional system currently offers.
To illustrate this point, I would like to draw your attention to the nearest respectable independent library, Essex Public Library, which operated with a 2023 budget of $404,105 and a per capita cost of $37.25, compared to King William’s budget of $602,907 for two locations and per capita cost of $33.85. Despite this significant investment, Essex Public Library has one location and far fewer resources than what our regional library system currently provides. The economies of scale and shared resources in a regional system allow us to benefit from extensive collections, specialized staff, and innovative programming that would be challenging and expensive to replicate independently.
The financial implications of running an independent library should not be underestimated. The costs of acquiring materials, hiring qualified staff, maintaining facilities, and implementing technology infrastructure will more than likely exceed the budget constraints of our county.
Additionally, the loss of shared resources will greatly limit the variety and quantity of materials available to our residents, ultimately diminishing the quality of library services.
I urge the Board to immediately withdraw their notice to leave Pamunkey Regional Library system and to conduct a comprehensive analysis that includes input from library professionals, financial experts, and community members. It is essential to weigh the long-term benefits and drawbacks of both options to ensure that our community continues to have access to high quality library services.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and hope for a resolution that serves the best interests of our community.
Respectfully submitted,
[Your name, Your district]
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