The Market House’s hit-and-run damage has forced the library to close the location to the public. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Despite not being able to open the official library building due to the damage caused by a hit and run accident a few weeks ago, patrons are still able to access items from the Shepherdstown Public Library.

An accident on the Fourth of July weekend had an unknown vehicle strike the library building, doing significant structural damage. Repairs to the building, which are complicated due to its historic nature, have prohibited the library staff from opening the building to the public.

The Shepherdstown Community Club, which owns the War Memorial Building next door to the library, has offered space with their building, allowing the library staff to serve the public.

“The community club generously offered us a small office space where we can check books in and out to patron who place holds online,” said library director Hali Taylor.

“My library staff has been wonderful,” Taylor added. “They have been flexible and positive throughout first the COVID-19 closure and now this.”

The hit-and-run accident damaged the back of the Market House building over the Fourth of July weekend. Tabitha Johnston

“When Hali asked us if we could find hem a spot, we cleaned out our office and gave them a key,” said SCC President Jen Wabnitz.

“It’s working okay,” Wabnitz said, mentioning helping out in this way was the club’s way to be a good neighbor. “We would have given them more space, but we have weddings and craft shows all booked. They were just happy to have a port in the storm.”

Despite the closure of the Market House building, Taylor said that all summer reading programs are going on as scheduled.

“We have been having them on the front lawn at Trinity Episcopal Church,” Taylor said. “But we are planning to move them to the community club, if they will allow us the space.”

The Market House, owned by the town, is listed on the National Historic Register. Plans for repairs are awaiting agreements between the town’s insurance provider and the team at Gruber-Latimer Restoration who will oversee the construction process.

Brien Poffenberger, president of Gruber-Latimer, continues to be in constant contact with Mayor Jim Auxer and members of the town council regarding the status of the project.

“We are not able to move forward until the insurance company has completed its evaluation and has indicated that it will support the project plan that we have been pursuing,” Poffenberger said in an email to Auxer last week.

Until the repairs can be made, the library building will be closed to the public.