FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY DONATE $51,000 TO DELAWARE COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY

The Delaware County District Library (DCDL) Board of Trustees officially accepted a $51,000 gift from the Friends of the Delaware County District Library (FOL) at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15th and were formally presented with the check at the May 20th regular meeting.

Present were President Scott Tiede, Secretary Connie Skinner, Trustees Reginald Ike, Lori Kipfer, Nick McCoy, Holly Quaine, Friends President Nichole Klatte, and Membership Chair Monte Stevens.

The funds, presented by FOL President Nichole Klatte, will cover expenses of the 2025 Summer Reading Club, which includes all youth prize books and read-on incentives, teen and adult gift baskets, adult prizes, and programming for all ages.

This year, the Friends of the Library’s $20,000 gift was supplemented with additional gifts from the Delaware County Foundation, including a $25,000 gift from the Polaris Community Fund for youth programming, and a $6,000 gift from the Robert Weiler Family Fund for youth reading prizes.

“This is the largest single gift and the first time in the Delaware County District Library’s history that our entire Summer Reading Club has been funded by our Friends of the Library,” said DCDL Youth Services and Programming Coordinator Kelly Cochran. “Everything from the children’s motivational halfway prizes to their final prize books and the educational presenters will be covered thanks to our Friends.”

Books are Only the Beginning!

The Friends of the Delaware County District Library is proud of its 17-year history of supporting the Delaware County Public Library System, with its 5 branch locations. They have been able to satisfy the needs of the community through donations to the Public Library of more than $200,000 for funding of many projects and programs.

Branch Enhancements

The Friends works closely with the Delaware County District Library Director & staff to support our 5-branch library system and our community. This relationship allows the Friends to endeavor to fulfill the “wish list” that the managers and staff of the individual branches create each year. Some of the enhancements that can be seen at our branches are the Imagination Garden Shelter at the Orange branch, Interactive Smart Board at the Delaware Main branch, Community Room Carpet at the Ostrander branch, and Shopping Carts at all branches, just to name a few.

Summer Reading Club

The Delaware County District Library system has a wonderful reading program to encourage and support children’s reading throughout the summer. The Friends offers substantial financial support to motivate and encourage participation in this program. The Friends along with The Polaris Community Fund and the Robert Weiler Family Fund were able to contribute $51,000 to the 2025 Summer Reading Club!

Child and Youth Programs

Through a combined effort, the Friends and the Delaware County District Library work to support the needs of the children and youth in Delaware County. Funding is provided for in-library child and youth programs. such as the Young Writers Workshop, facilitated by best-selling children's author, Steve Harpster.

Best-Selling Author Appearances

Join the Friends for talks with engaging national authors. Come make a memorable impression or lasting connection with one of your favorite authors in an intimate, engaging environment. During our Q&A sessions, you'll have the golden opportunity to ask an expert for some writing pointers and refill your creative well.

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The Maker Studios

The Friends has worked diligently to fundraise more than $95,000 to help equip the Maker Studio at the Liberty Branch Library & buy new equipment for the Maker Studio at the Delaware Main Library. The campaign continues as they aspire to reach their goal of $150,000 to create an endowment for future Maker Studio enhancements at both the Delaware Main and Liberty Libraries.

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SUPPORTING THE DELAWARE COUNTY DISTRICT LIBRARY

The Friends of the Delaware County District Library is a nonprofit group of library-loving volunteers whose mission is to advocate for and raise funds to support and enhance the DCDL programs & services.

We advocate for the library at community and business events.
We sponsor events such as: adult and children author visits and writers workshops to help promote literacy.
We also support the library’s Makers Studios.

Join us to make a difference today!

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