A sign at the Brandywine Hundred Library on the absence of newspapers. (Ken Mammarella photo)

Libraries aren’t getting their daily newspapers

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Headlines

Some New Castle County libraries have not been getting their print newspapers for a month, and by September, that absence hit all the public libraries that the county runs. The reason: a distribution company has gone out of business, DelawareLive was told. “New Castle County Libraries are experiencing significant delays with our newspaper deliveries. We are working with our distributor …

The Brandywine Hundred Library has been closed for more than four months for HVAC work and a new roof. Ken Mammarella photo

Brandywine Hundred Library at last reopens

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

The Brandywine Hundred Library opened to patrons on Monday for the first time since it was closed Feb. 1 for maintenance. While the library was closed, the county removed most of the flowers and shrubs from the landscaping in front of the building, replacing them with fresh mulch. A sign promises new landscaping with native plants. IN THE NEWS: $3 …

A library branch is named after its prominent Brandywine Hundred location. (Ken Mammarella photo)

Brandywine library reopening delayed; work to run into June

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines, Summer

The reopening of the Brandywine Hundred Library, closed since Feb. 1 for repairs, has been delayed, New Castle County announced on Facebook. “Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the extensive replacement of equipment, Brandywine Library will not be reopening on Monday, May 6th,” the county wrote. “As soon as we have a confirmed date, we will let you know. “Until …

A library branch is named after its prominent Brandywine Hundred location. (Ken Mammarella photo)

Roof, HVAC work to close Brandywine library for 3 months

Ken MammarellaCulture, Government, Headlines

  The Brandywine Hundred Library is closing for three months to replace its roof and its heating, ventilating and cooling system. New Castle County is planning to close the library from Feb. 1 through May 1. During that time, it will open the Claymont and Woodlawn libraries seven days a week, with extended hours. “This project has been needed for …

The Newark Free LIbrary is being replaced with a new building on the same site.

Ideas for new Newark library sought in 2 town halls, survey

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Two town halls and an online survey have been announced to collect ideas for the new Newark library. Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts directly with the architectural firm, Quinn Evans, at meetings hosted by the Friends of the Newark Free Library. The first meeting will be 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Newark Senior …

Becker Morgan Group design for the Selbyville Library.

New library buildings in the works across Delaware

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

New public libraries are being built across Delaware, as part of a state government goal to have 1 square foot of library space for each resident. That space and that expansion is a shorthand way to understand libraries’ increasingly broad roles. They have a long history of lending books and answering reference questions, but today’s libraries are adding to their …

Seaford Library kiosk

State campaign to encourage use of library privacy kiosks

Sam HautHeadlines, Government

The state plans a marketing campaign to encourage more residents to use Social Service Kiosks that now exist in some libraries to access medical and other private services. The soundproof booths are located in 13 different libraries across the state.  Health and library officials hoped they would help some of Delaware’s more disadvantaged populations get the help they needed to …

The Newark library (New Castle County photo)

New 2-story Newark library to be built on same site

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

New Castle County has decided to update the Newark Free Library on the same site. The new, two-story building will have 50% more interior space, and there will be 80% more parking, Diana Brown, manager of the county’s 10 libraries, said this week. “Details of what will be inside will be developed with public hearings this year,” Out & About …

There are more than 70 libraries across the state that share 2.5 million ebooks and print books for the benefit of Delawareans.

Delaware to add school libraries into statewide catalog

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The Delaware Library Consortium announced Tuesday that it will spend $1 million to add school libraries into the statewide catalog. The goal is to broaden the First State’s library catalog and provide more students an opportunity to conduct research or read for pleasure. “Over the years it seems like everything around literacy has been tweaked except school libraries, until now,” …

Delaware Library Render Front Iteration 3.1

State to spend $28 million on libraries .2 miles apart

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware will spend $22 million to construct a new library in North Wilmington just 0.2 miles from an existing library, which is undergoing a $6 million renovation. Once complete, visitors will be able to check out a book at the $22 million library located at 3905 N Market St., then walk five minutes down the road to the $6 million …