Coffee, Donuts, and Determination: Samuels Library Keeps Doors Open Without County Funding
A joyful July 1 kickoff to the new fiscal year brought greetings, warm wishes, and goodwill to the Library.
Samuels Public Library opened the doors to its new fiscal year on July 1 with warmth, celebration, and a powerful reminder of what public support looks like when it matters most. The message from the community was immediate and unmistakable: we’re here, and we believe in our library.
The July 1 Open House welcomed over 1,260 community members through its doors in a single day, a testament to the library's deep roots in Warren County. Guests were greeted with free Apple House donuts and coffee, with generous support from our sponsor Mountain Home Bed & Breakfast.
The event was a celebration not just of books or programs — but of resilience, community spirit, and the enduring value of a public library powered almost entirely by public support.
The day’s highlights included the launch of this year’s Tiny Art Show, which drew a record-breaking 234 creative entries, 28 new and over 40 renewed library card sign-ups, and $2,200 in donations — a tangible show of appreciation from the people the library serves every day.
But as the Open House drew to a close, attention turned to that evening’s Board of Supervisors meeting, where momentum stalled. While the community showed up in force, the County’s pathway to partnership remains uncertain.
Now operating in Fiscal Year 2026 without local government funding, Samuels Public Library is relying entirely on the support of donors, sponsorships, grants, and state aid to keep its doors open, its programs running, and its resources accessible to all.
In her article Book Bans, Big Brother: Why I’m Fighting for My Library — local author Colleen Snyder offers a personal account of her July 1 Open House experience, reflecting on the ongoing effort she’s made to fight for her local library and the broader context of the ongoing challenges facing Samuels Public Library.