Council approves naming Parsonsburg branch for Louis R. Riley

The Wicomico County Council unanimously approved Resolution 42-2025 on April 1 to name the new Parsonsburg library the Louis R. Riley branch of the Wicomico Public Library.

Seth Hershberger, executive director of Wicomico Public Library, and Chip DeShield, chairman of the library board of trustees, presented the naming request and described Louis R. Riley as a longtime county and state public servant and farmer who served as Maryland’s secretary of agriculture and as a state delegate and county council member. DeShield said the naming followed library board policy on naming rights for an entire facility and that the board had advanced the proposal.

Several council members and community speakers supported the measure, noting Riley’s public service and leadership. Trustees and relatives in the audience spoke about the family’s local ties and Riley’s role in statewide agricultural policy. Council members confirmed construction and site issues: staff said the project had encountered an underground gasoline tank removed under state supervision and foundation work that extended the schedule; the library is now tentatively scheduled to open in October.

The council moved, seconded and approved the resolution without recorded opposition.