I was tried creating a project specific xschemrc file that calls the sk130 specific xschemrc file and then adds a few things to the library path, but that messes up the relative paths included in the sky130 specific xschemrc file

From Xschem's perspective, there are two recommended options to manage the design libraries: https://xschem.sourceforge.io/stefan/xschem_man/tutorial_xschem_libraries.html When I open a schematic that uses skywater's symbols, I don't have any issue if my xschemrc's XSCHEM_LIBRARY_PATH includes the directory to find the skywater's xschem directory (e.g., /home/joanne/LOCAL/open_pdks/sky130/sky130A/libs.tech/xschem). So, is the issue with the files you created that are using the skywater symbols that are not working outside your environment. Can you share an example for me to better understand this? Thanks.