List of public libraries in Delaware County, Pennsylvania explained

There are 30 public libraries in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Delaware County Libraries is a federation of 26 library organizations, with 28 branches.[1] The law library in the county courthouse is not a member of the county system, but its holdings are listed in the system catalog. The Upper Chichester Library is also located in the county but not part of the system.

The libraries in the county system are independent non-profit organizations which are funded by local municipalities, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the county system, and from donations. A library card from any library in the system is valid at all other libraries in the system and at most libraries in the state.[2] [1]

The county system serves 550,000 residents with a collection of 1,400,000 volumes. 2,150,000 items circulate per year.[3]

NameImageFoundedBuiltLocationDescription
Aston Public Library1977c.19853270 Concord Road, Aston
39.8676°N -75.4209°W
In the community center
Collingdale Public Library823 MacDade Blvd. Collingdale
39.9115°N -75.2786°W
Darby Free Library174318721001 Main Street, Darby
39.9202°N -75.2631°W
Organized March 10, 1743 by 29 Quakers as a subscription library. First 45 books arrived from England on November 5, 1743,[4] In 1898 the library became free and open to the public.[5] [6] [7]
Folcroft Public Library194019731725 Delmar Drive, Folcroft
39.8941°N -75.2789°W
Glenolden Library18941939211 S. Llanwellyn Ave., Glenolden
39.8999°N -75.2927°W
Haverford Township Free Library19341601 Darby Road, Havertown 39.9815°N -75.3049°W
Helen Kate Furness Library19021916100 N. Providence Road, Wallingford
39.9045°N -75.3748°W
Founded to honor Shakespearean scholar Horace Howard Furness. He later endowed the library with $5,000 on the condition that it be named for his wife. Located on his former estate Lindenshade.
J. Lewis Crozer Library17691877 (1st building)
1976 (current building)
620 Engle Street, Chester
39.8378°N -75.3875°W
Founded February 14, 1769. Operated, with hiatuses during the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, until 1871 when it was reorganized. Renamed Crozer Library in 1925. The current building, a former branch, is in Veterans Memorial Park.[8] [9]
Judge Francis J. Catania Law Library – Delaware County Courthouse18511933 (4th floor of courthouse)201 West Front Street, Media
39.9197°N -75.3917°W
In the courthouse and open to the public, but very limited circulation
Lansdowne Public Library1898198255 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne,
39.9365°N -75.2716°W
Marple Public Library2599 Sproul Rd., Broomall
39.9747°N -75.3633°W
In the municipal building
Mary M. Campbell Marcus Hook Public Library10th & Green, Marcus Hook
39.8194°N -75.4187°W
In the borough hall
Media-Upper Providence Free Library190120161 E. Front Street, Media
39.919°N -75.3889°W
Middletown Free Library195621 N. Pennell Road, Lima
39.9137°N -75.4393°W
Newtown Public Library1974 2003201 Bishop Hollow Rd., Newtown Square
39.9806°N -75.4079°W
Adjoins the township office
Norwood Public Library1925 1951513 Welcome Ave., Norwood
39.8909°N -75.3019°W
Prospect Park Free Library1923720 Maryland Ave., Prospect Park
39.8881°N -75.3084°W
Rachel Kohl Community Library19791989687 Smithbridge Road, Glen Mills
39.8673°N -75.5133°W
Radnor Memorial Library19401980167 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne
40.0429°N -75.389°W
Ridley Park Public Library1888[10] 1912107 East Ward Street, Ridley Park
39.8808°N -75.3232°W
A Carnegie Library
Ridley Township Public Library19571971100 East MacDade Blvd., Folsom
39.8862°N -75.3291°W
In the Municipal Building
Sharon Hill246 Sharon Ave., Sharon Hill
39.9067°N -75.2724°W
Springfield Township Library70 Powell Road, Springfield
39.9307°N -75.3299°W
Next to the Municipal Building
Swarthmore Public Library19291951121 Park Avenue, Swarthmore
39.9015°N -75.3484°W
In the municipal building
Tinicum Memorial Public Library620 Seneca St., Essington
39.8686°N -75.2932°W
Upper Chichester Library 20013374 Chichester Ave. #19, Boothwyn
39.8369°N -75.443°W
Small township-supported library in a shopping mall across from Chichester High School. Not part of the County Library system[11]
Upper Darby Township/Sellers Library – Main Sellers Branch1931197576 South State Rd., Upper Darby
39.9623°N -75.2733°W
Sellers library founded in 1934 and merged with the municipal library in 1935. Sellers moved into the historic Hoodland house in 1935, with a large modern style building built and connected to the house in 1975.[12]
Upper Darby Township/Sellers Library – Municipal Branch501 Bywood Ave., Upper Darby
39.9592°N -75.2665°W
Upper Darby Township/Sellers Library – Primos Branch409 Ashland Ave., Primos
39.9186°N -75.3051°W
Yeadon Public Library809 Longacre Blvd., Yeadon
39.9362°N -75.2511°W

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Libraries. Delaware County Libraries. August 11, 2017.
  2. See, e.g. Aston Public Library's annual report, Web site: Aston Public Library - 2015. August 16, 2017.
  3. Web site: Breeding. Marshall. Delaware County Library System. Libraries.org. September 27, 2017.
  4. Web site: History of Darby Library. Darby Free Library. August 15, 2017.
  5. Book: Serrill. Kate W.. Pennsylvania Library and Museum Notes, Volumes 1-8. 1908. Pennsylvania. Free Library Commission. 68. A Sketch of the Darby Library Company.
  6. http://www.sturgislibrary.org/history/oldest-library/ Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the OLDEST of them all…?
  7. News: Bello. Marisol. Country's oldest public library could close this year. August 16, 2017. USA Today. February 2, 2009.
  8. Web site: Crozer Library's History. Crozer Library. August 15, 2017.
  9. Book: Martin. John Hill. Chester (and Its Vicinity,) Delaware County, in Pennsylvania. 1877. W. H. Pile & Sons. 450. 9785871484241 . August 15, 2017.
  10. Book: Lockhart, Keith . Ridley Park Centennial: 1887 - 1987 . 1987.
  11. Web site: About Us. Upper Chichester Library. October 4, 2017.
  12. Web site: About. Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Libraries.. September 24, 2017.