Donations welcome

A local history group presented a modest gift of three history books to the Culpeper County Library Monday afternoon, but it was appreciated, proving that in this economy every little bit helps.

“Right now, donations are particularly important,” said library director Susan Keller, mentioning that they are bracing for even more cuts in state funding. “We are actually looking at a lot of our book purchases at this time.”

In the meantime, the local reading room gained several volumes yesterday thanks to a donation from the Brandy Station Foundation. The titles were: “Brandy Station 1863: First Steps Toward Gettysburg” by Daniel Beattie; “From a True Soldier and Son: the Civil War Letters of William C.H. Reeder” by Carolyn Reeder and Jack Reeder; and “God Knows All Your Names, Stories in American History” by Paul Herbert.

“All these books are not just educational, but excellent reading too,” said Mary Tholand of the BSF.

“We believe that understanding comes through education and intelligence comes from understanding of the past.”

Whereas the Culpeper County Library, in good times, purchases about 150 to 200 books per week, “That will obviously be cut back,” Keller said Monday. The library is also looking to cut subscriptions to its 149 magazines.

Finally, she said, starting in July — the beginning of the new fiscal year — patrons could see reductions in library hours.

“Sunday looks like the time to do it,” Keller said, noting savings in heat and electric the library would realize by not opening 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, like now. In the past, she added, county supervisors felt it important to keep the library open Sundays, and providing funding to do so.

Keller reiterated that state funding shortfalls are expected to be severe. Fully funded by the state, the Culpeper Library would have had an extra $170,000 she said. As it stands, the library received $168,000 in state funding for the current fiscal year.

Want to go?
Author Paul Herbert signs copies of his new book, “God Knows All Your Names” at the Brandy Station Foundation Christmas party at the Graffiti House Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome.