In a major victory for public libraries and the power of local voices, Library Systems & Services (LS&S) has officially withdrawn its proposal to manage library services in Warren County. This decision follows months of grassroots pressure, highlighting the power of a community standing together to protect a beloved local institution.

On Monday, LS&S notified Warren County officials that it will “not be offering our services to Warren County,” ending a proposal that could have handed over local library operations to an out-of-state corporate provider. Similar defeats were seen recently in Huntington Beach, CA, where LS&S pulled out after a wave of community resistance—marking a national pattern of pushback against privatization.

“This is what happens when people show up,” said Erin Rooney, Director of Samuels Public Library. “They tried to take this library away from the community, and the community said no. They’ve shown up in force: at Board meetings, through letters, with donations, and with each other. This isn’t just a win for Samuels. It’s a win for public libraries everywhere, and a win for the people who believe they should stay public, local, and open to all.”

While LS&S has stepped back, the library is still facing the negative impact of the Warren County Board of Supervisors' decision to cut library services funding without a plan in place—leaving Samuels operating on emergency funds in order to service Warren County and keep critical library programming running. Its future remains uncertain.

On July 1, Samuels will host an Open House. Residents are invited to come celebrate their library, learn more about recent developments, and rally behind its future. The event will be held all day and will feature donuts and coffee from local partners Apple House and Starbucks, a scavenger hunt, a Tiny Art exhibit, and tours of Studio 330—the library’s new Makerspace and memory lab. The entire day’s events are in great part due to the generous sponsorship of Mountain Home Bed and Breakfast.

What’s happening in Front Royal is bigger than just one library. Across the country, public institutions are being defunded, politicized, and handed over to private companies. But what makes Samuels unique is the way neighbors across political lines have come together to protect it. This fight reflects deeper questions facing communities everywhere: Whose voice matters? And who gets to shape the public spaces we all depend on? Samuels stands as a bellwether for what’s happening in towns like this across America.

Samuels remains committed to serving the people of Warren County. Through uncertainty, the library continues to provide trusted services and a sense of belonging to all. As this next chapter begins, Samuels will keep fighting for its future, and for the values that have guided it since 1799.

Supporters can help by attending the July 1 Open House to meet staff, see programs in action, and ask questions. Donations to the Emergency Fund remain critical to maintaining operations and defending the library’s future. To contribute, visit https://samuelspubliclibrary.substack.com/p/donor-emergency-fund or contact development@samuelslibrary.net.