A law library in Montross?

At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, they entertained the idea of having one created in Montross.

County administrator Norm Risavi gave a bit of information on what was afoot here. Several people had been calling his office asking if it would be possible to either add a law library onto the Montross Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library or have an internet-based service through each of the libraries.

“I’ve spoken with the library director,” Risavi commented. “And she says it can be done. Previously, we had an ordinance that assessed the fee for a law library, and then they eliminated it for whatever reason.”

In essence, the citizens have requested the ability to have the library be installed. According to Risavi, for this to happen, the libraries must acquire licenses for the libraries to have the office.

“They have it at the central office,” Risavi continued, “But of course, that’s not feasible here since the county is not next to their central headquarters.”

“I was used to it being administered through the community college for so long,” Supervisor Woody Hynson stated. “And I don’t know why it was removed.”

“Part of the problem was a lot of it was going electronic,” Risavi replied. “Occasionally I’ll get people that want to borrow my code book. This would make those available in the libraries, as well as other resources that aren’t put down electronically. That would mean people didn’t have to drive to Fredericksburg to look something up.”

Although no action was taken that night, the ball has started rolling. With any luck, Risavi will have completed his fact-finding mission and have the information needed on just how often such a library had been used in the past. Afterwards, the County should be in a position to make a decision.