In February, the Blake Newton Memorial Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library celebrated its 25th anniversary. When the building first opened its doors in 2001, the Twin Towers were still part of the New York City skyline. Part of a library network over 200 years old, the Newton Branch provides residents in the area around Hague with a myriad of services, from notaries to job searches, free Wi-Fi, printing, and much more.

The library celebrated this milestone with a small event that featured not only the operating staff of the library but also a number of other distinguished guests, including Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tim Trivett, as well as Vice Chairman Jeff McCormack and Supervisors Woody Hynson and Matt Ingram.

“I haven’t used this library, but I have used the one at Colonial Beach, and the employees are unbelievable with how helpful they are,” Trivett commented. “How kind they are, how they do anything to help someone, and I’m sure the same thing happens here. These libraries are such a blessing with everything that takes place.”

Vice Chairman McCormack chimed in. “It’s really an honor to be here. Twenty-five years ago, I was a senior in high school, and now I’m here with my two sons,” McCormack stated. “When I was in fourth grade at Montross Elementary, I wanted to be a librarian. At the time, we had a small library next to Angelo’s Pizza, and that’s where I spent my entire Career Day.

“I still remember how much fun I had at the old Cople school. To be able to share those memories with my kids and then show them how these libraries have evolved in my lifetime—it’s just such a great benefit to our community to be able to have this here. We are so grateful for everything that you do here, and I want to congratulate you on twenty-five years.” Supervisor Hynson, who spoke at length on what the original plan had been and how it evolved, primarily thanks to the shape of Westmoreland, said, “Billy Sydnor, Helen White, and myself originally wanted to remodel A.T. Johnson and have a central library. But then the public got involved—and we should all learn what the public wants, because if they yell about it long enough and loud enough, they’ll get it. Miss Hutt wanted one in Montross, Colonial Beach wanted one, and then the people of Hague also wanted a library. So now you know why we have three libraries.

“But what I want to thank everybody from Rappahannock Regional Library for is the fact that we hammered out a contract where we pay for your services, but your services are so wonderful. You do so much good that I am very thankful for our contract and business agreement.

“I had to once give a speech on one of our presidents. I asked for a book on him and got seven. I was smart enough or dumb enough to read them all, and I’ve been an expert on James Monroe ever since. Your helpfulness and how well the County and the library system have worked together have been a pleasure for all involved, and I want to thank you all for your helpfulness.

“As deep as we are in the computer age, I still believe education starts with books and always will. What you read in a book stays in your head, and what you read on a computer screen goes in one way and comes out the other. Thank you all very much.”

“We are very fortunate to have this library here at this end of the county. It’s a great facility and a great asset to our community. We’re so lucky to be part of the Rappahannock Regional Library—the benefits to Westmoreland County have been so great, and we do appreciate it,” said the County Administrator, Jim Taylor.

Taylor noted that his experience with libraries goes back a considerably long way to when card catalogues were still implemented, as well as being married to a woman who served as a school librarian for a number of years. “Twenty-five years is a great accomplishment,” Taylor continued. “I give credit to the people that had the vision and forethought to make this happen twenty-five years ago. I’d like to congratulate everyone that has been involved.”

Christy Maupin, the Westmoreland County representative and Chairwoman for the Rappahannock Regional Library’s Board of Trustees, delved briefly into the origin of the Newton Memorial Branch.

“I too am happy that CRRL has a long-standing relationship with Westmoreland County in this community,” stated Maupin. “Through combined efforts, there has been public library service in Hague since 1985, originally at a small branch in the Old Cople High School. Your enthusiastic support for and use of your public library resulted in the need for a bigger space.

“Twenty-five years ago, the current facility opened on land donated by the Newton family, and the Hague Branch became the Blake T. Newton Memorial Branch in honor of the lawyer, educator, and state senator who championed public education. I am very grateful to the Newton family, Supervisors, and the Library Board, but this would not have happened without all of you—the customers. You who still use the library today, who come for children’s programming, to take part in a book club, family movie night. You who use the library for research, for applying for a job, printing, and notary services, those who come to work, study, and play. Thank you all for making this possible.

“I also want to recognize the amazing employees that greet you as you walk in the door, help you print from your phone, and know every one of your children, including those who walk on four legs.”