May 29, 2025
Members of the Rotary Club of Salisbury tonight heard from two members about the planned new Wicomico County Library. Library Executive Director Seth Hershberger and Marty Neat, a member of the Board of Directors of the library's Friends Foundation, shared information about the new facility that will be located in the old Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art that is owned by Salisbury University in exchange for the university taking ownership of the downtown library site and building. Following nearly $14 million dollars in renovations, the new library should be open to the public in 2027.
The total anticipated project cost is $13.8 million with the state of Maryland taxpayers supplying $6.4 million, the Wicomico County taxpayers contributing $2.9 million, and private sector donors suppying $4.5 million. Mr. Hershberger and Mr. Neat said the majority of the private donors' expected gifts already have been pledged.
The new library will be more than just a building housing books. There will be a children's area, teen center, local history hub, community support system, an outdoor reading niche, study spaces, a cafeteria, and programs for persons of all ages.