(Dover, DE) – The Delaware Division of Libraries, in collaboration with the Delaware Community Foundation and the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, invite all community leaders affiliated with a Delaware entity offering services and support to Delawareans (businesses, nonprofit organizations, agencies, and more!) to attend an Open House for Delaware Partners on Thursday, June 2, 2016 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover DE.
Established in 2008 by the Delaware Division of Libraries, Delaware Partners is a collaborative effort of more than 130 organizations focused on strengthening services to Delawareans by coordinating information exchange through public libraries. Initially formed to assist Delawareans with emergency needs during the Great Recession, the Delaware Division of Libraries is now partnering with the Delaware Community Foundation and the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement to strengthen Delaware Partners, to coordinate and maximize community information sharing across the public and private sectors. Additional information about Delaware Partners can be found at http://guides.lib.de.us/departners.

“Delaware Partners is a great example of the spirit that exists in our state to take on challenges,” said Governor Jack Markell. “We’ve worked hard during my administration to maximize the value our libraries can have in our communities with innovative efforts like Delaware Partners. I’m excited about the potential partnerships that can arise as a result of events like the open house to bring together our dedicated community of service providers,” he added.

The Markell administration has provided more than $33 million in funding for improvements and upgrades to public libraries in all three counties – more than any other administration to date. “Delaware Libraries have developed a significant infrastructure of technology and locations throughout the state. This infrastructure enables partners, in collaboration with Delaware Libraries, to extend their resources and expand their reach in service to Delawareans,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian.

Stuart Comstock-Gay, CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation, said that “libraries catalyze learning, connect people and ideas and inspire the discovery, creation, preservation and sharing
of knowledge so very vital to community and our quality of life. We are pleased to join with the Division of Libraries and DANA for this Delaware Partners event and will be presenting DelawareFocus.org, the community indicator project sponsored by the Foundation and available to everyone who seeks to know and understand Delaware.”

“This program is a wonderful way for nonprofit leaders to learn more about who is working in what social impact arenas. Our ability to work together, share insights and learn from each other is a foundational element in creating the change our organizations seek here in Delaware,” said Dr. Sheila Bravo, President & CEO, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement.

Participants are encouraged to bring along plenty of business cards and brochures about their services, as well as their key goals and aspirations. Please register at: http://tinyurl.com/departnersopenhouse. Those who would like to participate in the partnership but are unable to attend are asked to indicate their interest here:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/departnersopenhouse. For more information, contact Dr. Annie Norman,annie.norman@delaware.gov.

About the Delaware Division of Libraries
The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks, programs/classes, community partnerships, and more.

About the Delaware Community Foundation
The mission of the Delaware Community Foundation is to build a shared vision for Delaware, grounded in knowledge, inspired by the common good and advanced through philanthropy. As a facilitator, information resource and manager of charitable funds, the DCF helps communities and philanthropists focus charitable resources for the greatest community benefit statewide. For more information, visit delcf.org or call 302.571.8004.

About the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement
As the leader of the nonprofit sector in Delaware, DANA’s mission is to strengthen, enhance, and advance nonprofits and the nonprofit sector through advocacy, training, capacity building, and research.

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