Wicomico council approves big library move to new home, over some residents' objections

The Wicomico County Council got an earful from a steady stream of residents on Tuesday morning questioning plans to move the Paul Sarbanes library branch from downtown to the empty Ward Museum building.

Public comments were planned for Resolution No. 50-2024, to authorize the county executive to enter into a lease and letter of intent for the exchange of 909 S. Schumaker Drive. On hand to answer many of the concerns raised by the public about losing a major downtown hub were Seth Hershberger, executive director of the Wicomico Public Library; Eli Modlin, chief of staff and vice president of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives for Salisbury University; and attorney Andrew Illuminati, who examined the lease documents.

The resolution passed 6-1 with only District 4 Councilperson Josh Hastings voting nay.

"I'm excited about this move and I think it's the right thing for us to be doing," said Hershberger. "I hear the concerns and we've been very thoughtful about the access issue with the library. In terms of our downtown location, what I hear most often is that they do find it difficult to access it, especially elderly citizens and families with young children."

Library director, SU official defend plans for big move

Hershberger noted issues with limited parking in the current central branch would be alleviated with the move as ample parking would immediately be available for the building despite no longer being situated downtown. He noted plans already announced by the library that they would continue to have a satellite location downtown for patrons in that area.

"There's limited handicapped parking and (families) have to walk across streets. We like that the public has designated free parking, which we lack at the current location," Hershberger said.

Modlin echoed much of the sentiment that the plans for the move would benefit both Salisbury University and the county as a whole.

"This is the first step in helping us see 15 to 20 years down the line and what the (county council) has before them is an opportunity," Modlin said. "The county can have a state-of-the-art library at minimal cost to the county and it would provide a world-class performing arts center. We've already received commitments from the state on the project, and it's an opportunity to turn a difficult situation into a win for all involved."

Modlin tried to ease concerns that the university might change course and remove the library as tenants at some point by highlighting the nearly century-long partnership with the region the school has fostered.

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Residents seek support for an 'alternative' to library plans

County residents like Phil Adkins not only questioned the plans for library relocation, but noted a group of concerned citizens has already met to discuss a reconstituted Ward Museum at the former building.

"Our proposal is to have newly reconstituted board of directors for the museum not to be known as the Ward Museum. We have over a dozen highly respected business leaders who have agreed to serve on this board. We would have an interim director of the museum and have those that have committed money and grants to make it financially sound," said Adkins, who served as a docent in the previous museum.

Others like Phillip Lovell questioned how much the project would actually cost considering the building was designed to be a museum rather than a library.

Like Lovell, many questioned how those needing something within walking distance of downtown would continue to regularly patronize the library.

"There's a great deal of expenses that go into (converting the space) without even addressing what will happen to the museum collection. They have been put into containers or dispersed. We don't know the amount needed to renovate the space and how to handle parking for a performing arts center when we lost all that parking downtown," Lovell asked.

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Board chairperson envisions 'library we can all be proud of'

Charles Dashiell, chairperson for the Wicomico County Library Board of Trustees, countered noting the new location would be a boon for patrons.

"This proposal envisions a library we can all be proud of and where we can expand our programs. Our patrons can feel safe and is accessible and inviting. It will encourage learning and its location is compatible with the culture of the Eastern Shore. This is a win for the county, our university to invest in downtown, and for our library for generations," Dashiell said.

He cited the number of partners that are making the move possible, adding the plans are being funded in a responsible way.

Maida Finch, also a member of the board, used the relocation plans to remind the council of the public support for library investment across the Eastern Shore in other counties.

"New libraries (elsewhere) have been called the 'center of cultural life,' and with the support of this county council, I hope to hear similar remarks about our new library as well," Finch said.

Brother of library branch's namesake backs big move

Despite what seemed to be equal support and detraction for the plans, it was Tony Sarbanes, brother of the namesake for the central branch, that backed the repurposed use of the former Ward Museum space.

"My brother's name is on that building and that's something for which my family is deeply thankful," Sarbanes said. "Parking is an issue downtown and telling a senior citizen to go to the parking garage and go up four floors, they won't do it. The Ward Museum was a beautiful place, and we were sorry what happened to it, but history is moving on. This is a great plan to convert it to another great usage that's accessible. It's a good move."

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Big library move out of downtown approved by council. What to know.