New Library Holds Grand Opening in Parsonsburg

Lewis R. Riley Library. Image courtesy of Wicomico Public Library Facebook.

Parsonsburg, Md. – Wicomico Public Libraries has added a new branch and has dedicated it to a former eastern shore politician.

This new location is dedicated to Lewis R. Riley, who served his community in county and state government including his role as Maryland Secretary of Agriculture. Wicomico Public Library held a ribbon-cutting and plaque dedication with guest speakers sharing memories of Riley and the significance of this library.

“Today is the grand opening of the Lewis Riley Library in Parsonsburg. It is a culmination of 21 years of coming from a single wide trailer to this beautiful new space for the east side of Wicomico county.” says Kerry O’Donnell, Branch Manager of the Lewis R. Riley Library.

Members of the Riley family were present at the ceremony to accept the plaque.  They say that they are grateful for the tribute, and feel honored to have his memory preserved in such a way.

When asked about the library, Terri Riley Jones, a daughter of Lewis Riley says “I love it. It’s beautiful it really is. It’s nice that people don’t forget. I mean he was there for a long time.”

Staff are excited about this new locations features including study and conference rooms, computers and copying equipment. They also have plans for a “memory lab” where locals can convert older media like VHS tapes to modern formats. The Wicomico Public library hopes this new Parsonsburg branch will bring convenience and useful resources to the east side of the county.