WILLIAMSBURG — The regional library system serving Williamsburg, James City County and York County could soon have a new name, a new funding formula and expanded library card privileges for York County residents.
The proposed agreement between the three localities and Williamsburg Regional Library would keep all three in the regional system. If approved by all four parties, it would take effect July 1, 2027.
Under the agreement, Williamsburg Regional Library would be renamed Greater Williamsburg Regional Library, reflecting the broader community served by the regional system.
York County residents would receive full library card privileges. All Virginia residents also would be able to borrow items from the physical collection for an annual fee.
The agreement also would change how the localities fund the regional system.
Williamsburg and James City County would keep paying based on their share of the system’s checkouts. York County’s payment would instead be based on what it spends per resident on its own libraries, applied to the part of the county the regional system serves.
The proposed agreement also would increase the threshold for regional capital improvement costs from $50,000 to $100,000. James City County would gain a voting seat on the library board, while York County’s seat would become nonvoting.
The proposed agreement will be considered by each locality’s governing body and the WRL Board of Trustees. Williamsburg City Council will consider it Oct. 8, followed by the York County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 20, the James City County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 27 and the WRL Board of Trustees on Oct. 28.
