The director of the Samuels Library in Front Royal stepped down earlier this month after intense criticism from the group “Clean Up Samuels.” Funding for the library has been withheld since July and will run out at the end of September; the last day for public comment to release funding is on September 5.

Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at PEN America, said: “What is happening in Front Royal, Virginia should serve as a wake up call for anyone who cares about the freedom to read. Because of an activist minority and a campaign of intimidation, an entire county may soon lose out on access to literature and information. Public libraries are a critical part of our democracy; to see one threatened by baseless claims and conspiracy theories is deeply alarming. We hope that funding will be released and that Samuels Library will be able to continue serving its constituents.”

About PEN America

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. To learn more visit PEN.org