Library trustees gearing up to fund expansion, renovation
The Rappahannock County Library Board of Trustees is preparing to embark on a projected $6 million fund-raising effort to support an expansion and renovation of the public library.
There’s a long way to go before those dollars can be raised.
WHY IT MATTERS
The library’s user base has increased in recent years, and with it a need for more space. According to Library Director Amanda Weakley, in fiscal year 2024, library “visitors” – a comprehensive count of how many times someone stepped through the doors – totaled 14,500.
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The Rappahannock County Library in Washington.
Board members often refer to Rappahannock’s library as a “community center,” as it offers one of the few free meeting spaces in the county. In a space-needs study conducted by the library, citizens voiced a desire for more community and teen spaces, and more available materials in general. More than 50% of those surveyed said they have visited other libraries because of their larger collections.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Raising the amount of capital needed for the expansion and renovation takes time. Expansion committee chair John Beardsley said there is still a lot of work to do before fundraising can begin.
He said a feasibility study must be conducted to determine how — if at all — the money can be raised. One of four firms interviewed by the board will be chosen in the coming weeks to conduct the study.
Beardsley said the study is on track to start this winter. If the outcome is positive, a capital campaign will launch in the spring. Beardsley said none of the four firms have been pessimistic in interviews about attaining the fundraising goal.
The $6 million goal has been made slightly less daunting by a pledge from an anonymous local family, according to board members. The undisclosed amount has been described as “substantial” in board meetings.
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