The Williamsburg Regional Library system is on the verge of a transformational period.
James City County and Williamsburg, two of the three localities that make up the regional system, are exploring constructing new library buildings.
Though the community’s libraries are highly rated and well-used, the proposals have raised concerns from some about the cost of the buildings, where they should go and the future of the regional partnership.
So far, Williamsburg has gathered community input and done initial design work to demolish and rebuild its downtown building. The city’s library evaluation committee recommended council move forward with final design work in August.
James City County, already working on plans for a new government center, decided this year to include space for a library branch in the designs for the proposed building. James City County in June approved a use permit for the center.
Neither locality has approved final designs or construction contracts for the libraries. Public information meetings on the proposed James City County consolidated government center are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday.
Who, what and why?
The regional system comprises the Williamsburg branch on Scotland Street and one in James City County on Croaker Road.
York County has its own library chain but contributes to the regional system to allow residents in the northern part of the county to use its libraries since the county’s branches are located farther away.
Talk and debate about new library buildings started with the Williamsburg branch, which is the busiest and biggest of the two in the system. Meanwhile, James City County is considering adding a library to the government center and that library would be about 3 miles from the Williamsburg branch.
The Williamsburg branch library needs to be replaced, according to Sandy Towers, director of the Williamsburg Regional Library.
The 42,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1973 and expanded in 1982 and 1998. The additions created a sprawling floor plan that requires two extra service desks to aid people and manage the facility.
The building wasn’t constructed with the Internet age in mind and cannot fit any more data lines. All of its operational systems, including heating and cooling, plumbing, and electrical, are outdated, and the building does not fully meet accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The space constraints mean any new programming will require something to be removed.
“We need a program room for tweens, we need a program room for teens,” Towers said. “We’ve had to make sacrifices because the spaces are being used differently than they were when this library was built.”
Adding another branch in James City County has been on the library’s wishlist for nearly 20 years. Most of the population growth is in the county and county residents typically make up about 70% of the system’s patrons.
The regional library system also aims to meet the top-tier facilities standards set by the Library of Virginia. It would need to add about 14,000 square feet across its branches to hit one of the targets if the population stays flat; it would need to add more to stay in the state library’s highest category if the service population grows. The plans for both libraries, if approved, would add up to 33,000 square feet.
If a third branch is built, Towers envisions each having a unique identity. The Williamsburg branch, with its theater, would be a cultural hub; the Croaker branch, with its renovated children’s area, would be the center for children and families; and the new county branch would be a technology hub with an expanded makerspace area.
“You might go to a different library depending on what your needs are that day,” Towers said.
What are residents saying?
Rachel Trichler, a mother of three, said during an August city council meeting that the Williamsburg branch is a lifeline.
“There’s no other free indoor place downtown, or really anywhere in the city, where I can bring my kids and let them be kids,” she said. “If we don’t make any changes, it’s going to continue to be able to provide those services; but they’re asking for more so that they can do more and meet the needs now and into the future.”
Some in the city and James City County, however, think the price tag is too high at this time.
A new downtown Williamsburg building is expected to cost $30 million to construct and furnish; the figure doesn’t include interest accrued while paying off the debt.
The city budgeted $20 million, hoping the counties would help with the rest. The library contract doesn’t require cooperation. It states that each locality is responsible for its own facilities.
The county, however, earmarked more than $49 million for a 50,000-square-foot building in this year’s budget. Now that it’s considering adding it to the proposed $189 million government center, the county has cut the square footage in half.
“I don’t know why we’re jumping forward prematurely with a location and a facility that may not be in the best interest of James City County taxpayers,” resident Chris Henderson said at a June board of supervisors meeting.
Some say renovating the current county center and the city’s downtown library is cheaper; Towers contends the costs would be about the same and wouldn’t fix all of the city branch’s issues.
Others question if the library system needs more space.
City resident Robert Wilson called the proposed 50,000- square foot downtown building “grossly oversized.” He said the state standards on space per capita don’t consider William & Mary student residents, who can use the campus library. He believes a new county library, if constructed just a few miles away, could also decrease patronage at the city branch.
How is Williamsburg Regional Library funded?
The localities are also beginning to update their funding agreement.
York County, in June, said it would leave in 2027 if that isn’t done, in light of increasing operating costs. It’s the latest regional agreement in the Upper Peninsula to be strained after Williamsburg and James City County explored breaking up their jointly operated school division.
Some residents and council members in Williamsburg and James City County worry they’ll be left paying for library space their communities don’t need if the partnership fractures.
“We need to see that operating agreement revised, understand what that means, so that we can move forward with the best information possible so that we can move forward with the library,” said Mayor Doug Pons.
The system calculates the split based on each locality’s share of library circulation from the prior year.
James City County is covering about three-quarters of its 2026 operating costs. Williamsburg and York County residents use the library at similar rates, though Williamsburg provides about 13% while York pays about 10%.
That’s because York County pays only 80% of what the circulation calls for, as it has its own library system. Full partnership in the regional system would risk its state funding, according to Williamsburg Watch.
York County officials are concerned that the regional system’s plans will increase their costs. The funding agreement was last updated in 2013. James City County Administrator Scott Stevens and Williamsburg City Manager Andrew Trivette said they’re open to discussions.
“I think that there’s an agreement that the library system, the regional system, is a benefit to all the jurisdictions that participate,” Towers said. “I don’t see any change in that.”
The regional system dates to 1977. York County has been paying into the system at least since 1992, said Towers.
While the system is younger than 50, regional use of Williamsburg libraries dates back more than a century. A 1925 letter to city council from the Civic League of Williamsburg asked for $250 to fund the Williamsburg Free Public Library for the year and included a count of Fort Eustis soldiers, employees of Eastern State Hospital, William & Mary students and James City and York County residents who used it.
Towers said regional systems allow for more resource sharing and state financial support. She said it also just makes sense in the Upper Peninsula.
“You can drive one mile and cross boundaries for Williamsburg, James City County and York County,” Towers said. “Working all together, the jurisdictions have created this award-winning library that is well used at much higher rates than most libraries in our state and even nationwide.”
