Wicomico Co. Public Libraries Sarbanes closed until Wednesday after pipe burst

SALISBURY, Md. – Workers at the Sarbanes branch of the Wicomico County Public Libraries in downtown Salisbury walked into a mess Thursday morning. Upon entering the building, library system director Seth Hershberger said they were met with a large pool of water covering much of the main floor.

Hershberger said a power outage at the facility on Wednesday was to blame. After the boiler system was restored, it was set to a too-hot temperature for the pipes, causing one to burst on the main floor. About 6,000 square feet of the building were affected.

Thursday, crews go to work at the library, cleaning up water and other debris, while moving stacks to assess the damage. Hershberger said the carpet was soaked and some computers damaged, but most library materials escaped the flood unscathed.

“It’s very wet, and we have to make sure things are dried out to determine what other repairs are necessary. We can’t have the public in here right now,” Hershberger said.

Hershberger hopes to reopen the branch to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Patron services will still be available during the closure.

“We are open at our other locations. We’ve got the location at the Centre Mall and in Pittsville. Our mobile services will still be operating. And, you can come here to the branch. If you’ve got holds you need to pick up, we’ll do curbside for you … You can still return your books here, as well,” Hershberger said.

For updates on the branch’s open status, click here.