Delmar Public Library

The Delmar Public Library serves residents of both Delmar, Maryland and Delmar, Delaware. Due to the Mason-Dixon Line and the Transpeninsular Line, Maryland residents who straddle the line between Delmar's Delaware and Maryland boarder are not charged out of state library fees.

History

The Delmar Public Library came into existence in 1940 when the New Century Club under the leadership of Mrs. Samuel M. Ellis, President who recognized the need for a public library facility and enlisted the local community for support in the project. With the approval of the Delaware State Library Commission, the library was formally organized with its first board of trustees. Dedicated on April 24, 1940, the first library site was a small room 12x15 feet located in the Marvel Building on Grove Street opposite the Delmar post office. Very quickly the small room proved inadequate and an adjoining room was acquired which more than doubled the original space. For the next 30 years this was the home of the Delmar Public Library.Then, in 1970, when St. Stephen's United Methodist Church opened its community center building at 105 East State Street, the library moved into more spacious quarters. One thousand eight hundred thirty-six square feet were now available as well as seating for 27 patrons. The library was only open six hours per week when it began in 1940, and has increased its hours of service to the public to 46 hours per week.

The Delmar Public Library facility, located on 101 North Bi-State Boulevard was built as a memorial to the late Delmar residents Lyndall C. Hayman, his wife, Virginia and his son, Robert. Mr. Hayman's will stipulated that a trust fund be established to provide income for the local library. It was his fondest hope that a library building would eventually be constructed.Additions to the library were dedicated on April 29, 1990. These additions included an expanded reference area, a new children's room and the Hayman Meeting Room.

Services

In addition to a large collection of books, the library now offers special services such as large-print books, magazines, newspapers, videos/dvds for children and adults, inter-library loans, audio cassettes, low-vision videos, and computers with Internet access. Thanks to the foresight and dedication of the ladies of the Delmar New Century Club back in 1940, the Delmar Public Library has become an increasingly important asset to the town of Delmar.

The Delmar Public Library seeks to enhance the quality of life in its community by providing free access to ideas and information through a variety of materials, programs, and services in a friendly and welcoming environment. Special enphasis is placed on providing current, high interest, high demand materials, in a variety of formats, which address the interests and changing needs of citizens in a democratic society. The library's goal is to encourage lifelong learning and nurture a love of reading.

External links

* [http://www.delmarlibrary.org/ Official site]

* [http://www.myspace.com/librarybooklover/ MySpace page] Dead link|date=September 2008