PUBLIC NOTICE
Regarding the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Section 106 Review of
Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation’s Humanities in Service to our  Community Project

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has offered Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation, a grant to construct a Heritage Centers within a new Regional Public Library.  NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities.  This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 470.  NEH, a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties.  If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects.  Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.

In Eastern Shore Public Library’s grant application, the new public library, located at 24313 Bennett Street, Parksley, VA, 23421, was identified as within the boundaries of the Parksley Historic District (DHR ID #278-0003), and potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and is therefore subject to Section 106 regulations. The application proposes to renovate the existing one-story, 12,600 square foot former Fresh Pride grocery store and construct a one-story, 18,000 square foot addition. The site is a 1.7-acre parcel that contains the store and parking spaces.

On June 5, 2020, Laura Lavernia, Architectural Historian, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources, advised that the proposed undertaking will have no adverse effect upon historic properties, as defined by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

As required by Section 106, NEH is providing the public with information about this project, as well as an opportunity to comment on any knowledge of, or concerns with, historic properties in the proposed project area, and issues relating to the project’s potential effects on historic properties.  Comments may be submitted to the NEH by e-mail to FPO@neh.gov.  The deadline for submitting comments is July 13, 2020.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Cara Burton, 757-787-3400

EASTERN SHORE PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANDS SERVICES JULY 6

(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) June 5, 2020 – With the improved community health conditions because of the COVID-19 prevention measures, Eastern Shore Public Library will expand services starting Monday, July 6 at the Accomac and Nassawadox libraries.  Library visitors must wear masks to enter the building and follow the library’s health prevention measures, available on the library’s website, espl.org, and at the entrances.  The library’s goal is to provide access to in-house services, but to minimize prolonged occupancy in the building and allow staff time to clean surfaces.  CDC Guidelines state that individuals are more likely to contract COVID-19 infection with prolonged contact with others infected with the virus, who may not show any symptoms.

The following Eastern Shore Public Library services will be in place starting Monday, July 6:

• Curbside pick-up of books and DVD’s will continue by appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Monday to Friday.
• Patrons may enter the buildings for Express Checkout with a time limit in the building of one half-hour any time between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. No appointment is necessary.
• Computers may be used for one hour by appointment 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Computers may be used for Express Service for one half-hour, by appointment 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Copiers, fax machines, and notary services are available.
• E-books, e-magazines, free online courses, online local history and genealogy resources, and other virtual library services are available for free 24/7 at the library’s website, espl.org.
• Individuals can sign-up for a library card without going to the library.  The online form is available on the ShoreCat online catalog home page by going to espl.org.

For more information or to make a library appointment, call ESPL at 757-787-3400.

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The Board of Trustees of the Eastern Shore Public Library announce

A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

Tuesday, June 23, 2020, 1:00 pm

The purpose of the meeting is to acknowledge a motion made by the Accomack Board of Supervisors at their June 17, 2020 meeting.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect the safety of library volunteers, staff, and the general public, this meeting will be held via the Zoom platform.  To attend by audio or video and receive the meeting login information, you need to contact the Library Director, Cara Burton, by Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 a.m. by calling (757) 787-3400.  Comments and questions for the board must be submitted by Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 a.m. to Cara Burton, Library Director.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, a response will be emailed to you or the Library Director will call you within 48 hours after the meeting.  Thank you for your interest in the governance of our public library system that serves Accomack and Northampton Counties.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Cara Burton, (757) 787-3400

EASTERN SHORE PUBLIC LIBRARY WILL ALLOW LIBRARY VISITS WITH BY APPOINTMENT

(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) June 11, 2020 – Eastern Shore Public Libraries will gradually allow patrons into the libraries by appointment starting June 16, 2020 now that the Virginia Stay-At-Home Order has expired.  Each of the four Eastern Shore libraries have different appointment schedules.  Available schedules and services will be reviewed when patrons call the library for an appointment.  Curbside pick-up will continue.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit espl.org or call the main library in Accomac, (757) 787-3400.

Expectations of Everyone in the Library

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Cara Burton, (757) 787-3400

STORYTRAIL INSTALLED AT NORTHAMPTON FREE LIBRARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo above: A StoryTrail has been installed at the library in Nassawadox.

(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) (June 4, 2020) – Eastern Shore Public Library recently installed its first StoryTrail at Northampton Free Library, its branch library in Nassawadox.  Part of the Steps to Well-Being initiative, the StoryTrail provides a healthy family, social-distancing outdoor activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Families are welcome during daylight hours to take a walk along the shady trail on the library’s property while having the pleasure of reading a picture book together.

The StoryTrail begins at the front of the building with simple instructions to follow the numbered pages along the trail.  While enjoying the walk, the family reads the story.

This first StoryTrail features the book, Bird Count, written by Susan Edwards Richmond and illustrated by Stephanie Fizzer Coleman. Youth Services Librarian, Janice Felker, stated she chose this book because, “It is a great story about a favorite Eastern Shore pastime, bird watching. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the amount of text on each page as well as the page size make it a great choice for a StoryTrail book.”

The Library plans to create more StoryTrails in the future at other locations and will partner with other local organizations to create a StoryTrail “trail” on the Eastern Shore.   In addition to promoting wellness, the trails help build a Culture of Reading, one of the Eastern Shore Public Library’s Library2020 initiatives.  If your organization would like to install a StoryTrail or if you have questions, call the library at (757) 787-3400 for more information or visit the library’s website, www.espl.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Cara Burton, (757) 787-3400

EASTERN SHORE PUBLIC LIBRARY PLANS STEPS TO WELL-BEING & LIBRARY SERVICES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo above:  Quarantining books for three days has become common practice in public libraries as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  This procedure may change as scientists learn more about virus transmission.

(ACCOMAC, VIRGINIA) May 26, 2020 – Eastern Shore Public Library has continued to provide many library services during the pandemic Stay-At-Home order with a variety of electronic resources, the new ShoreCat online catalog, and virtual programs.  An online Summer Reading Program for the whole family using a fun, interactive program called Beanstack will be launched soon.  As Virginia begins re-opening in phases, the Shore’s library system is launching “Steps to Well-Being” to ensure library patrons and staff stay healthy as they continue reading and begin summer activities.

Libraries across the nation have been planning the best practices for welcoming back patrons to libraries.  Curbside pickup of books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines has become the most common form of circulating tangible materials to the public.  Beginning June 1, the public libraries in Accomac, Nassawadox and Chincoteague will be offering curbside pickup by appointment.  Library patrons need to reserve materials well in advance by using the ShoreCat online catalog or by calling library staff between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Reserved materials will be checked out and placed in a clean, new bag labeled with the patron’s name.  At the scheduled time of appointment, the bag will be placed on a table outside the entrance (in good weather) or in the library lobby.  Masks will need to be worn in the lobby.

Eastern Shore library buildings will re-open to the public at a future date, to be announced.  The libraries are not taking book donations at this time.  Library materials can be returned anytime in the library’s book return slots.  Library staff encourages everyone to continue practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, wearing clean masks properly, and maintaining good health with exercise and balanced diets. All of these are great Steps to Well-Being.

The ShoreCat online catalog is available at the library’s website, espl.org.  The library’s plan for further re-opening steps will be posted on the library’s website.  Questions and concerns should be directed to the ESPL Library Director Cara Burton at (757) 787-3400 or by emailing cburton@espl.org.

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