History:
The first public library in Delaware, Ohio grew from a women's reading club formed in the 1890s. After opening a small, fee-based library for its 35 members in 1897, the women began to work toward expanding library service in the community. In 1899, The Delaware City Library Association was incorporated for the purpose of establishing a permanent free public library to serve the citizens of Delaware. The Delaware City Library, located in a donated room in the city's newly built Masonic lodge at the corner of William and Franklin Streets, opened on April 5, 1900 with a collection of 910 volumes.
As use of the library increased and the book collection grew, the need for a separate library building arose. A gift of $21,000 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie allowed construction to begin in 1904 on a new building at 101 North Sandusky Street. This library, known as the Delaware Public Library, was dedicated on September 1, 1906 with large crowds attending the opening ceremonies. The collection now consisted of over 4000 books, magazines, and newspapers and the words "Free To All" were inscribed above the front door.
The Carnegie building served as the library's home during decades of continuous growth. In 1951, the library became The Delaware County District Library, serving most of the population of Delaware County. Given its increased service area and the constant addition of new books and materials, the once modest collection swelled to the limits of the building's capacity. By 1980, around 70,000 items were crammed into a space designed to hold only 16,000 books.
To meet the need for more space, the library moved into a renovated grocery store at its current Winter Street location in 1984. However, the building at that time looked nothing like today's facility. It was not long before the library needed to expand yet again. In 1990, the voters of Delaware passed a bond issue for $4.5 million to be used to expand the main library and also to build branches in Powell and Ostrander. In the years between 1990 and 1993, the library opened a new 3500-square foot branch library in Ostrander; the 43,000 square foot completely rebuilt main library; and a 5,000 square branch in Powell.
In 2004, a renovation to the main library expanded the public space on the first floor by relocating the administrative offices to the second floor. Among the changes made were the addition of computer/Audio Visual room, two tutor rooms, a room dedicated to the sport of harness racing, and the expansion of the children’s area. Additionally, new carpet and wall coverings were installed, and several art murals and a tree in the children’s area enhance the energetic and bright new building.
