Wythe County officials are taking a hard look at the library, wondering aloud at the January Board of Supervisors meeting if the regional system was planning on opening its doors again ever.
The Wythe Grayson Regional Library has only been offering limited services since the start of the pandemic.
According to its website, the Wythe County, Grayson County and Whitetop libraries offer 30 minutes of browsing by appointment and 50 minutes of public computer access by appointment. Curbside service is also by appointment. The Rural Retreat library is offering by-appointment curbside services, 30 minutes of browsing and business services. Contactless delivery is also available for “qualified individuals.”
Board Chair Brian Vaught pointed out that the county had allocated thousands in CARES Act funds for the library to better mitigate against COVID-19 – buying touchless water spigots, masks and shields – yet it still isn’t open to serve residents. He pointed out that there are kids out there trying to do school work with no internet and job seekers who could use the library’s services.
Stacy Terry, the board member who serves on the library board, called it a “convoluted mess,” explaining that the target date for a re-opening is around the middle part of February. He said library staff is cleaning and getting books ready.
“From this seat,” Vaught said, “I’d expect a large return from the budget. I don’t know what they’re doing, and this is tax money.”
County Administrator Stephen Bear noted that library employees don’t work for the county. The library, which serves two counties, does get funding from each of its municipalities. Bear said he is talking to his counterpart in Grayson about the issue.
With an eye on the purse strings, Vaught asked if the next quarterly allotment could be withheld until the county gets some answers.
Bear said the county could, if the check hasn’t been written yet.
