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New Castle County libraries report increased use and warn loss of federal grants could erode services
Summary
Library staff told the Community Services Committee that circulation and visits are up despite the Newark Library closure; staff highlighted technology access, new checkout items and telehealth partnerships, and warned that a potential $1.3 million loss in federal IMLS funding could reduce services and partnerships.
Diana Brown, manager of New Castle County Libraries, told the County Council Community Services Committee on April 2 that library use has increased in the last year and that libraries are expanding services beyond traditional collections to meet community needs. Brown said circulation is up 10% and patron visits are up more than 9% compared with the same period last year, despite the Newark Library closure in March.
Brown described a range of services the county system offers: access through the Delaware Library Consortium to shared catalogs and resources; expanded physical-item checkout pilots (musical instruments, craft tools, STEM equipment, blood-pressure cuffs, induction cooktops and…
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