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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 Chromebooks); e-resources and databases such as LearningExpress and Transparent Language Online; and high demand for public computers and Wi-Fi. "We have been very busy. Even with the Newark Library having closed in March, our circulation is up 10% over the same time last year, and our user visits are up over 9%," Brown said.
Brown reported that county funds supply roughly 85% of the libraries' operating budget, with state aid accounting for about 15%. She warned the committee that the library system faces uncertain funding from federal sources and identified an anticipated loss of approximately $1,300,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) as a risk to partnerships and programming. Brown also noted possible downstream effects from reductions in funding to organizations such as the Delaware Humanities (NEH-related funding).
Technology and outreach were emphasized: the system reported 489 public computers that provided almost 30,000 sessions totaling about 6,400,000 minutes of use (figures cited by Brown), and libraries now offer on-site and virtual specialists who assist patrons with housing, food assistance, job support and health-care enrollment through partnerships with the Division of Health and Social Services and grant-funded telehealth initiatives.
Brown outlined facility projects and planning: demolition at the Newark Library is underway with a projected reopening in spring 2027, and the county is beginning a needs assessment for a Glasgow-area library to address a demographically underserved area. Brown said the county is seeking matching funds to move the Glasgow project forward.
Committee members praised staff and library volunteers. Council members urged advocacy with state legislators for bond funding and acknowledged the libraries' role in supporting early literacy, digital access, workforce services and community meeting space.
The presentation closed with an offer to answer questions; no public commenters spoke on the item during the committee meeting (legislative assistant Nikai Traylor reported no online public comment).
