History

Take a walk through history with us.

  • 1890 First public library in Delaware, Ohio grows from a women’s reading club.
  • 1897 Women’s club begins to expand library service to the community.
  • 1904 Construction of new building at 101 N Sandusky St begins with a gift of $25,000 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
  • 1951 The library officially becomes the Delaware County District Library system.
  • 1984 The library moves to current E Winter St location.
  • 1990 $4.5 million bond issue passed by Delaware voters to expand the Delaware branch and construct Powell and Ostrander branch libraries.
  • 1991 Ostrander Branch Library opens to the public on Wednesday, July 3.
  • 1992 Renovated Delaware Main Library opens to the public.
  • 1993 Powell Branch Library opens to the public.
  • 2004 Delaware expands public space on the first floor and relocates administrative offices to the second floor.
  • 2009 Delaware County voters pass a levy that allows for extending hours at all branches, increasing materials in the collection, improving technology, and building a new 33,000 square foot branch in Orange Township.
  • 2011 Orange Branch Library opens to the public.
  • 2018 Delaware County voters pass a 15-year renewal of the library’s 1-mill levy.
  • 2023 Liberty Branch Library opens to the public.

The Delaware County District Library serves as the public information provider for our community, using traditional and innovative technology to encourage curiosity, free inquiry, and lifelong learning in a friendly environment.