The Eastern Shore Public Library (ESPL) is a regional library system serving the entire Eastern Shore of Virginia.

It consists of a regional library in Accomac, a branch library in Nassawadox and two affiliated libraries – Chincoteague Island Library, Inc. and Cape Charles Memorial Library.  This is our story of why we need a regional library and the capital campaign which will make it happen.

 
 

Do you shop on Amazon?

Of course you do! Now you can contribute to the library when you shop online by logging in through Amazon Smile. Just click the button to log in and you can help us reach our goal!

 
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1959 Jaguar MK IX Auction!
1959 Jaguar MK IX Auction!

This 1959 Mark 9 was donated to the Eastern Shore Public Library to help raise money for a badly needed new main library in this rural area in coastal Virginia.

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Every Contribution Counts

 
 

$4.39M Raised

$5M

 

Whether $20 or $20,000, your support is urgently needed to make the regional  library facility a reality. Gifts may be made in one payment, or pursuant to a pledge covering a number of years. The estimated cost of the regional  library is $5,300,000, and half of that amount has already been raised.

Help us Keep the Momentum Going!

 

Latest News

Featured
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Case for Support
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Case for Support

The new Heritage Center’s vision is to protect, preserve, and make accessible all current and future collections of verbal and photographic records of the 400 year history and genealogy of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

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Eastern Shore Public Library Celebrates 60th Anniversary
Eastern Shore Public Library Celebrates 60th Anniversary

1958 was a hallmark year on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Shore saw the opening of a new Accomack County Health Department facility in Accomac, WESR coming on air, and the dedication of Chincoteague’s new high school. Construction projects were beginning with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel ($137 million), Wallops Island space launch facility ($24 million), and a new library ($60,000). That year Northampton and Accomack Counties formed a new Eastern Shore Public Library regional library system still in operation today and the library Board of Trustees and staff and the ESPL Foundation are celebrating.

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Governor Northam Visits the Eastern Shore of Virginia Heritage Center
Governor Northam Visits the Eastern Shore of Virginia Heritage Center

The Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, visited on July 5, 2018 to help add $1M to our capital campaign thermometer.  What he had to say about the importance of libraries:

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Libraries are as Relevant Today as Ever

Laura Bush's quote is as true in the current digital age as it has ever been, as libraries become both virtual and physical spaces.  Free public libraries are basic to a true democracy because they provide everyone with equal access to information and place no limits on the ideas we can explore.  

“I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”
— Former First Lady Laura Bush

We can find almost anything on the Internet, but not everyone has access to the Internet at home, especially on the Eastern Shore.  Making online access available to everyone is essential to providing equal opportunity to all our citizens.