Message to Library Staff Addressed Threat to Regional Cooperation
"Talking Points" provided after York County warned of terminating regional library contract
An internal email to library staff by Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) Director Sandy Towers provides a look at the system’s response to York County’s possible withdrawal from the regional library partnership. A copy of the email was obtained by the Williamsburg Independent through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made to WRL.
The message was sent to staff on June 10, 2025, the day after York County Administrator Mark Bellamy formally notified Williamsburg and James City County officials that if the current contract is not successfuly renegotatied, the County will terminate it in 2027.
Library talking points
“You may receive questions from users concerned about York County’s continued participation in the Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) system,” Towers wrote in the email to library staff. “Please also feel free to refer any questions directly to me … I welcome the opportunity to speak with anyone who has concerns.” The email then presented the following “key talking points”:
WRL is a regional library system serving James City County, the City of Williamsburg, and York County. The current contract, signed in 2013, remains in effect.
All three jurisdictions benefit from regional cooperation through shared costs, pooled resources, and increased state aid from the Virginia State Aid to Libraries program.
WRL operating costs are shared among the three jurisdictions based on circulation. Typically, James City County accounts for approximately 73% of circulation, while York County and Williamsburg each account for about 13–14%.
The contract requires two years’ notice for termination, meaning the earliest potential end date would be June 30, 2027.
It is our hope and intent that all parties will come to a mutually agreeable solution that allows the region to continue benefiting from this longstanding collaboration.
Contract consternation
York County’s June 9 letter cited upcoming library projects in Williamsburg and James City County as reasons why they want a revised agreement.
James City County once envisioned a new $49 million library, though that figure has since been cut significantly as the expected size of the new library has been reduced, according to reporting by Nick McNamara for WHRO. Williamsburg officials have revisited both design and funding options for their new library since regional contributions did not materialize.
York County has signaled it may explore building or leasing its own facilities in the northern part of the County if a new agreement cannot be reached. York County currently runs two of its own libraries in other parts of the County.
As noted in Towers’ email, the WRL contract, last updated in 2013, governs the joint operation of libraries serving residents of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. In addition to shared expenses, the agreement allows the system to qualify for higher levels of Virginia State Aid to Libraries, which provides annual state funding based on local support. Termination of the contract requires two years’ notice, meaning the current system remains in place until mid-2027 unless a new agreement is reached earlier.
Earlier this year, York County leaders expressed concern that funding expectations under the current agreement could leave them on the hook for increased costs associated with multiple new facilities outside their jurisdiction. In the current fiscal year, Williamsburg is expected to contribute $1.1 million toward operations, James City County $6.3 million, and York County $890,000. Adding two new facilities could change both contributions and service expectations, a concern York officials have said must be addressed.
The circulation figures cited in Towers’ email indicate that York County residents use the WRL system in similar numbers to Williamsburg, though James City County are the bulk of users. That data is central to the cost-sharing formula and could affect future negotiations over funding.
The WRL Board of Trustees and administrators from all three jurisdictions are expected to begin discussions in earnest this year. Towers told staff she believes “productive, collaborative solutions are possible.” For now, the existing contract remains in force until 2027, leaving time for negotiations but also raising uncertainty about the future shape of regional library services.
The writer used AI tools and these sources:
Email from WRL Director Sandy Towers to staff (June 10, 2025, obtained by FOIA)
Letter from York County Administrator Mark Bellamy (June 9, 2025)
Previous reporting by the Williamsburg Independent (March 13, 2025; March 5, 2025; May 16, 2025; August 12, 2025).
WHRO Public Media: Do Williamsburg and James City County need new libraries?
