Town Meeting on Tuesday voted to accept Onset's Spinney Memorial Library as a branch of the Wareham Free Library.

The Friends of the Wareham Free Library took over and rehabilitated the Spinney Memorial Library in the early 2000s with the understanding that the town would be asked to take ownership of the library at Town Meeting in 2012.

Priscilla Porter, treasurer of the Friends of the Wareham Free Library, Inc. who presented the article, said that if the town agreed to take ownership of the library, the Friends would pay the expenses of the library, which amount to about $40,000 per year, for the first 2 years.

Voters were concerned about whether the time was right to take over the library, considering the town's current financial difficulties.

"In  two to three years down the line," said voter Brenda Eckstrom, "what happens if we can't afford it?"

Porter replied that deciding what to do with the Spinney, including whether to close it, would be up to the town's library director.

Similarly, Donna Bronk, member of the Finance Committee, was concerned about taking ownership of the Spinney when the Wareham Free Library is in need of building repairs.

"Our library here, we can't even afford to fix what needs to be fixed," Bronk said.

Still, members of Town Meeting expressed support for the library.

"Onset is a jewel, and the youngsters who live in Onset are a jewel … and the Spinney Library is a really really beautiful building," said School Committee member Cliff Sylvia.

Selectman Cara Winslow said that the town could always decide what to do with the Spinney if the financial hardship became too great to continue operating the library.

"I share the optimism of previous speakers, I think we're on the upswing," said Winslow. "Let's give it a chance, because if we don't try, we'll never really know in the end."