Community

Except where indicated otherwise, the content on this page was authored by Rick Rodington.

Public libraries are essential to society

The multiple award-winning Williamsburg Regional Library offers a plethora of programs, activities, events and services for people of all ages, including toddlers. In fact, I wasn’t aware of most of them until May 2024, when marketing coordinator Laraya Billups suggested that I peruse the library’s Facebook page. 

This was an absolute revelation! I’m still amazed at the scope of their posts. Sometimes several new ones appear in a single day. Those who never look at the page have no idea about the significant number of things that happen at both libraries; hence they don't know what they’re missing.

An April 25 post caught my attention because I like music, crafts and technology. “WRL teamed up with the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra to create 3D-printed violins for an after-school program at Waller Mill Elementary School as part of the M3loDy Makers Initiative. This program just received the Unique Outreach award from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association! Read more about this initiative on WYDaily.com.” The April 24 article by Jillian Appel headlined, “Joint Program with WRL Creates 3D-Printed Violins for Williamsburg Youth Orchestra Students” is at Joint Program with WRL.

After reading the report, I commented on the library’s post, "The news article about this marvelous initiative is very interesting and informative. I really hope many people will read it. The technology that exists nowadays is truly amazing! I wonder what technological advancements will come in the future." The next day I added, "I really would like to examine one of these musical instruments, if Ben Strohm, WRL Program Services Director, would consent. He's the individual who is spearheading this superb, worthwhile initiative. Can Sandra Towers possibly arrange a meeting between us? I would be most appreciative. Let's hope this initiative continues to elicit ample donations." 

Strohm and I met on May 2. Earlier, he explained in a note, “Your timing is excellent—right now I have two new violin prototypes sitting on my desk that I have not yet called the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra to come and pick up—I will hold off on notifying them until we have met.” Upon entering his office, I immediately noticed the yellow-colored violins. A 3D printer, which was in operation, was also in the room. As I held one of the musical instruments, I remarked that it probably weighs less than a wood violin. Surprisingly, Strohm replied that the opposite was true. He also explained that each violin costs almost $40.00. All of the parts take a total of 24 hours to create. Every program member needs two, because one must be kept at home. There is a limit of 25 members. Currently, there are 20-21 in the program. The students are in grades 3-5. When I asked him what was the most important fact that he wished the public to know, Strohm responded that, if it weren't for this partnership program, the 20-21 kids at Waller Mill Elementary School who are currently in the program would not have the opportunity to play the violin. 

On April 29, I watched the PBS Independent Lens documentary described as: “Free for All: The Public Library tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the ‘Free Library Movement’ to today's librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all.” This fascinating documentary is at Free for All: The Public Library.

In an April 30 note, Library Director Sandy Towers provided a summary report of the Public Library Association's Project Outcome Initiative, which surveyed libraries between 2015 and 2023. It gives information about the impact of public libraries.” The fact sheet is titled, “Public library programs and services strengthen communities” and gives details about six key points: 

    • Children’s literacy programs create more confident caregivers. 

    • Children and teens who participate in summer programs become better readers. 

    • Libraries support lifelong learning. 

    • Libraries support healthy communities. 

    • Community programming also creates engaged community members. 

    • Library programming promotes the creation of small businesses and supports job seeking. 

On May 5, Towers was pleased to provide me with this statement:

“Public libraries are more than just buildings filled with books—they are lifelines of opportunity, education, and innovation within our communities. From the determined pack horse librarians who delivered books to rural Appalachia during the Great Depression, to today’s makerspaces where 3D printers craft violins for children, libraries have always adapted to serve the public good and make life better. As centers for learning, connection, and creativity, public libraries remain essential to a healthy, informed, and resilient society."

"As our world changes, Williamsburg Regional Library continues to meet people where they are—offering resources, support, and inspiration in ways both timeless and cutting-edge. The impact we make today echoes the legacy of those who believed everyone should have access to knowledge and opportunity.”

Fortunately, WRL and the public, in particular taxpayers, benefit from a terrific team of more than 240 dedicated volunteers who love their library. In regard to funding, it is important to emphasize that each dollar donated to WRL for programs, or for the construction of the new facility, equates to one less dollar required to be drawn from taxpayer revenue. 

We are indeed privileged to reside in a wonderful community where a certain university is routinely gifted with extraordinary donations of $15 million to $100 million. I urge these exceptionally generous philanthropists to bestow some of their largesse on our superlative public library system, and thus, somewhat ease the tax burden on local taxpayers.  

Posted on May 5, 2025. A condensed version was published in The Virginia Gazette on May 7 with the same headline. The fact sheet, “Public library programs and services strengthen communities” is embedded at the bottom of this page.

Neighborhood Watch and National Night Out enhance security

The National Neighborhood Watch Program was launched in 1972. It’s funded by the National Sheriffs' Association via a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

The Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the nation. It reduces opportunities for crime to occur, and has its roots in town watches in Colonial America, when night watchmen patrolled the streets in settlements. 

Here in the Historic Triangle, Jamestown managed the first one in this country. Its town watch was established in 1607, the same year the settlement was founded.

Neighbors caring for neighbors is the essence of Neighborhood Watch, which is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism protection. Neighbors are brought together with law enforcement to deter crime and make their communities safer. They are asked to be alert, observant, and caring. Residents are asked to keep an eye on each other's properties and immediately report suspicious activity or crimes to the police. They should not intervene.If there are any problems, real or suspected, citizens should notify their local police department at either 911, or the non-emergency number. They should then notify their Watch coordinator, who can follow up with the police.

Another aim of the program includes educating the residents on security and safety in order to achieve safe and secure neighborhoods. The police desire that every community maintains an active Crime Watch program, which includes holding meetings with the residents. The police let each community decide how often to hold these meetings with them.

In 1981, the National Association of Town Watch was established. It's a special organization that builds a bridge between local law enforcement, civic agencies, and neighborhood watches. 

In August, 1984, the National Association of Town Watch created the National Night Out campaign, an annual event that began simply with neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting in front of their homes. It now features events that are organized by block watches, nonprofit organizations, companies and police departments. Some of them can be as simple as backyard cookouts or as complex as festivals

According to natw.org, "National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."

On Aug. 2, members of the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office were invited to attend National Night Out 2022 events at Langley Bethel Housing, Foxwood Community, Naval Weapons Station and Creekside Landing. If you would like them to come to your neighborhood for an event, call 757-890-3630.

The Williamsburg Police Department is celebrating NNO on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Shops at High Street, 1430 Richmond Road. The James City County Police Department is celebrating Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center, 4600 Opportunity Way.

This was posted on Sept. 28, 2022. A condensed commentary with the headline, "Local  National Night Out celebrations ahead," was published in The Virginia Gazette the day before. 

Simple Ways You Can Make Your Neighborhood a Better Place to Live

• Be a considerate neighbor. Keep your yard clean and your home in good repair. If you see litter in front of someone else’s house, pick it up.

• Get to know the people who live on your block or in your apartment complex. Talk to folks. Make friends.

• Get together with your neighbors and talk about how you can collectively improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.

• Reach out to your neighbors in a dynamic, caring way. Volunteer to help neighbors who have special needs. Offer to cook them a meal or shop for groceries.

• Find out what’s going on in your neighborhood. Be alert to developing issues.

• Work diligently to be a positive influence in your community. Do something to make your neighborhood a better, friendlier place. Get involved in neighborhood activities or projects.

• Establish a Neighborhood Watch. Keep an eye on everything. The best security system available is a concerned and watchful neighbor.

• Be inclusive when organizing your neighborhood; invite a broad mix of people to your meetings. Don’t be afraid to ask your mayor, city manager, state senator, bank president and police and fire department representatives to your neighborhood meetings or block parties.

• Band together in a meaningful way. Make your neighborhood’s cultural and ethnic diversity a strength.

• Mentor a child who lives on your street or help start a youth group. Spend time with the kids in your neighborhood. Give them the benefit of your life experiences.

• Enjoy fun activities with your neighbors. Go on day trips, or host an annual summer barbecue or block party.

• Publish a newsletter to keep your neighbors informed, especially those who aren’t able to attend block meetings. Inform them of possible scams occurring in your area and any other suspicious activities. Share people’s birth dates and reasons for celebration or sympathy.

• Discover your power as a concerned citizen. Change happens one person at a time.

This was published in the Spring 1998 issue of Community Links, the nationally distributed newsletter of the Community Policing Consortium in Washington, DC, and in the July 1, 1998 issue of The Virginia Gazette. It was based on a flier that I wrote for the 1997 James City County-Williamsburg Neighborhoods Conference that was distributed to about 268 attendees. I was a member of the conference's Publicity Committee.