Virginia Eastern Shore Regional Library and

Heritage Center

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

September 8th, 2023

Photographs by Megan Ames

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few words regarding this tremendous, “long-awaited” day. This ribbon cutting is indeed “long-awaited” but I am glad to be able to stand before you now and finally say:

THE NEW EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HERITAGE CENTER, RIGHT HERE ON BENNETT STREET IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN PARKSLEY, IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Indeed the effort to open this new facility has been long in the making. If you were to sum this journey up in one word, it would be “perseverance”. I recall when the property you are standing on, then just a vacant former grocery store, was purchased by the Library in 2016. Back then the project schedule called for completion in 2020. Since then, we have had:

·  A pandemic.

·  13 launches of the Antares Rocket from Wallops Island &

·  Three different U.S. presidents

We encountered so many obstacles along the way to opening this new  building but, each time an obstacle was presented, it was overcome, we moved forward, we persevered. Today we have arrived.

Before you is a state-of-the-art library filled with amenities we could only dream about before this endeavor began.

·  We now have ample meeting spaces to cater to the needs of citizens and non-profits including the Dennis R. Custis Lecture Hall capable of seating 185 people.

·  We have a modern and permanent Heritage Center to house and showcase the many irreplaceable collections entrusted to the care of the Eastern Shore Public Library.

· We have ample study space and workstations with access to the internet.

These are just a few of the improvements you will find in this new facility.

I personally want to thank all the individuals and groups, that led the effort to construct this new building including:

· The Commonwealth of Virginia, especially Senator Lewis, Delegate Bloxom and former Governor Northam

· The Eastern Shore Public Library Board of Trustees

· The Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation

· My fellow County Supervisors and our County Staff

· The Town of Parksley

· The Library employees

·  & the many citizens who supported this project with their hard earned financial contributions

We didn’t always agree and there were many contentious moments along the way to this ribbon cutting, but we overcame, we persevered and today we celebrate our collective efforts to open this wonderful new facility.

Thank you and enjoy your new library!”

I welcome all of you here to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Eastern Shore of Virginia Regional Library and Heritage Center. I need my helper! Where is she?

My name is John Edmonds. Your name is Wren, isn’t it?

Wren: Yes

John: Well, Wren I thank you for coming to help me. Can you answer a question for me, please? Who is the most important person in the library? 

Wren: The librarian. 

John: Well, Wren that’s a very good answer and it shows you think of other people which is even better. But it’s not the right answer. The most important person in the library is you . We built this enormous library for you. But Librarians are very important, I agree with you. Can you help me read their names?

Wren: I wasn’t expecting to do that.

Library Directors since 1948: 

Raymond W. Smith

Katharine H. S. Edmonds

Katherine H. Laiblin

W. H. Savedge

Robert Keeney

Carol Vincent

Dr. Brooks Miles Barnes

Cara Burton

Christopher Pote

Janet Justis and

John: Her Grace, The Current Director of the Library 

Miranda Wisor

John: Thank you Wren. You’re the best little helper ever.  Wait! I have something for you. (The Chairman pulls two children’s caps with the ESPL System logo and says): Here Wren, this is for you, and I think you have a little sister so this is for her. Thanks again.

Wren: Thank you!

John: “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to cut the ribbon!” *

*  John Willis Edmonds, IV: “More than two months after the ribbon cutting in October, I asked Wren Maris Vargas to write a report about the grand opening for our website.”

Wren's perfect poise, energy, and composure in front of the large crowd that murderously hot day, bear witness to her education, bravery, altruism, and promise for the future. We did build that enormous library for her and she deserves it as much as anyone else (and maybe a little bit more).

I thank her again.”