CRISFIELD, Md.- A new state-of-the-art library is coming to Crisfield.
The steel frames are up and construction workers, donned in vests and hard hats from Nason Construction Company, are out.
The crew has been working hard to make the new library a reality for months at 100 Collins St. in Crisfield.
Somerset County's Library Director Gail Sheldon said the new single-level facility will be equipped with a dozen public access computers, two computers for teens; two early literacy and two after-school Edge learning stations in an area designated for children.
There will be 12 laptop computers for instruction purposes.
A 3D printer will also be available for public access. It will be located in a "Maker Space," with two all-in-one computers with design software, a portable green screen and audio/visual equipment. There may be a minimal charge for the use of the 3D printer.
Farabe French of Crisfield thinks the city will benefit from the upgrade.
"I think there will be a lot of people in town that will take advantage of that [the new library]," French said. "There are a lot of people here that don't have computers in their own homes
"I think that would be wonderful," she said.
Sheldon said Lilyan Stratton Memorial Library, the current library, is only 3,200-square-feet. The new facility, which will be equipped with an outdoor deck overlooking the Tangier Sound, will be 12,400-square-feet.
French said additional space is necessary.
"They [Corbin Memorial Library] have some nice activities, but there isn't enough room for people to move around and spread out," French said.
The project falls under a $5.2 million guaranteed maximum price contract with a general contractor. Funding is being provided by The County Library Capital Grant Program, the Maryland Department of Education and the Division of Library Development and Services.
Sheldon said additional fundraising will be sought to furnish and equip the library.
