‘Beloved library’ at a crossroads

The Rappahannock County Public Library’s potential move to Rush River Commons drew about half a dozen residents to its Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting last Thursday, some offering heartfelt input.

During public comment — which often draws no speakers from the community — residents voiced support and concerns about the move. 

Michael McCormick, a Washington resident, said he worries a new facility could lose the character of the existing library, which was built in 1991.

“I’m a little nervous about a newly-constructed library, and whether or not that would be too new, too sterile, and would lack that down-home feeling that I get here,” McCormick said. He also questioned long-term costs and visibility at the new site, noting “the monthly expenses connected with a lease would be an issue that could change over time,” and urged the board to consider how staff feel about a potential move.

Susan Peterson, Wakefield district resident and self-described “devoted library person,” said the library has outgrown its capacity for programs and meetings, but also questioned the implications of moving from an owned building to a leased space.

“I’m just concerned about my beloved library, and I want what’s best for the community,” she said.

“I think it’s really important for us to hear your concerns and to keep hearing them,” board member Patti McGill Peterson said. “And I should say you’re not alone, because we have had some of the very concerns that you’ve stated as we’ve tried to do our due diligence.”

Michael McCormick stands at a podium to speak during public comment at the Library Board of Trustees meeting last week.

The board is weighing an offer to relocate the library to Rush River Commons II in the Town of Washington. In early March, the board voted to sign a non-binding “letter of intent” that expires in June, 90 days after it was signed. 

Since then, lease and design negotiations have started to assess the feasibility of a move, but no final decision will be made unless acceptable terms are reached, board members said.

“Sometimes parties don’t get to a mutual place. So we’re hoping to work to get to a place where we can examine a lease, but we’re not there yet,” board member Michael Chamowitz said. “So we’re really at the initial stage.”

Board President Victoria Fortuna clarified that the library would occupy a separate building from a planned community center at Rush River Commons. She added that the future of the current building — located off of Route 211 and owned by the Board of Trustees — and its potential sale would factor into any final decision.

Washington resident Mike Millan spoke in support of the move, and said having the library close to so many other community resources — like the food pantry, post office and community center — could create “critical mass” and drive more traffic to the library. 

The push to consider relocation stems largely from space limitations and financial constraints at the current site. Communications Committee Chair Liz Conley said earlier plans for a $6 million expansion at the existing building — which would have been fully funded through private donations — proved unattainable.

“We’re not in a position to be able to do the expansion here at this space that we love,” she said. She added the library would need to raise millions more dollars and potentially close for up to two years for construction if the expansion were to go through at the current location. 

The Rush River proposal, however, could allow the library to build a larger, accessible facility designed to meet community needs identified in a 2019 survey, including expanded programming space, meeting rooms and areas for children and teens, she said.

After public comment, members discussed communication strategies to remain transparent as negotiations continue. Conley said the communications committee is developing a list of frequently asked questions that will be posted on the library website, rappahannocklibrary.org, and is considering additional outreach efforts to address community questions.

“As transparent as we can be … sharing with the community, we think is incredibly important,” Conley said.