(Dover, DE) Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney will host a virtual kick-off of the 2020 statewide Summer Library Reading Program, Imagine Your Story, on Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. with State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. The launch is co-sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts and will feature a virtual performance by Turtle Dance Music with Matt Mazar.

“Promoting foundational language skills is a critical part of giving all of Delaware’s children a ‘first chance’ to succeed,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, who convenes the  First Chance Delaware initiative and serves as honorary chair of the Delaware Library Card Campaign and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library pilot program. “The library habit supports educational success and also supports strong families, with two-generation programs and access to a range of services. I’m very proud of my Delaware library card, because of what it does for me and what it represents for our community.”

The virtual kick-off can be accessed at the Delaware Libraries website, along with details about the program and registration.

Delaware libraries are noted for hosting the longest running statewide public library summer reading program in the nation. Now in its 42nd year, the annual Summer Library Reading Program provides early literacy programs to help children build and develop reading and language skills; teen programs that motivate teens to read and discuss literature; and programs that encourage adults to experience the joy of reading.

“Librarians help to generate a passion for reading and learning,” said Governor John Carney. “A healthy reading habit motivates, inspires, encourages creativity and prevents the summer slide.”

“For more than 40 years — for generations of Delawareans — Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

Young “pre-readers” (children who can’t yet read) can get credit for books that are read to them. Throughout the summer, online this year, libraries provide a variety of fun and educational arts, cultural, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs to encourage reading and spark curiosity.

Registration for the Summer Library Reading Program at all public libraries is free online. Incentive badges are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.  Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life.  A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available on the Unleash Inner Genius guide.

Visit the Summer Library Reading Program for the schedule of online events throughout the summer. The Performing Arts component of the program, including Turtle Dance Music, is sponsored in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.

About:

Summer arts programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Libraries and, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division of Arts promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com

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

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Delaware Libraries across the state have created a shared Virtual Library Events Calendar to enable Delawareans to participate in library programs and storytime while at home. The library building may be closed, but the virtual library is open and ready for you from your home. Everyone is welcome to join in on all the events libraries have to offer.  

The Virtual Library Events are offered through Facebook Live, Zoom, video, YouTube, and more.. all events are consolidated into one calendar. You can still follow your favorite library on social media and visit their website, plus with this calendar you can discover additional programs and events from libraries across the state that you may not have known about before. 

Don’t have a library card? No worries… all are welcome to join in on these programs and events. Want a Delaware Library Card but never had the chance to sign-up? You can sign-up online right now and gain access to all eMedia & resources. As always, all library programs and resources are free! 

If you have never explored your library in the past, now is the time to visit from the comfort of your home. We hope it is helpful and a welcome diversion for you!

Have questions? Just ask us: answers.delawarelibraries.org

Small business or need job assistance resources, visit our guide.lib.de.us/business

Visit our virtual library event calendar, delawarelibraries.org or directly at delawarelibraries.libcal.com/calendar/virtuallibraryevents also check out events on Delaware Libraries Facebook . 

hoopla is a digital media service offered by Delaware Public Libraries that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV is NOW available! Download the hoopla app to your device, sign-in with your Delaware Library Card. Don’t have a library card yet, sign-up online today. It’s all FREE!

With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately through your desktop browser or hoopla mobile app. You can download to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later where Wi-Fi may be unavailable. Titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period.

hoopla has an abundance of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. It’s like having your Delaware public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.

Thank You!
New Castle County for your support of Delaware Libraries!

Learn more & sign up today!

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 4, 2019) – The State Office of Volunteerism (SOV) and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) are partnering with Stockings for Soldiers on a public donation campaign to collect items during October and November to send to members of the military serving overseas during the holidays.

This marks the 16th consecutive year that Stockings for Soldiers, a Delaware nonprofit, has collected items for members of the military, organized volunteers to pack the donated items in Christmas stockings and then send the stockings to members of the military in time for the holidays. Last year, Judy Travis, the project founder and coordinator, said volunteers filled more than 10,000 homemade and personalized Christmas stockings, with more than 45,000 pounds of item.

Travis joined DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Division of State Service Centers Deputy Director Cynthia Manlove and others for the kickoff of the donation campaign at DHSS’ Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle.

“We’re really excited to celebrate the 16th year of Stockings for Soldiers and to be able to help with securing the items, putting out collection bins and providing volunteers to help,” Secretary Walker said. “We look forward to helping in any way we can to make sure another 10,000 troops get stockings this year.”

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve sent over 100,000 stockings,” said Travis, whose son served in Iraq in 2003. “We’ve touched a lot of hearts in that time. And although a lot of them say they don’t even know where Delaware is, they say they are grateful for the people who do this for them.”

In support of this effort, DHSS is collecting items such as travel-sized toiletries, small candies, gum, DVDs, small cans of tuna or other non-perishables, ramen noodles, lip balms, socks, razors and more for the stockings. For a complete list of needed items, please visit StockingsForSoldiers’ website. Other ways to donate include financial contributions to cover the cost of postage, letters of appreciation to a soldier or the stockings themselves. The patterns for the stockings are available at the website, too.

Donations are now being accepted at locations organized by the State Office of Volunteerism and starting Oct. 7 at Stockings for Soldiers, Brandywine Town Center, 5131 Brandywine Parkway (between Kirklands and the Guitar Center.

Look for collection barrels at these locations:

Buildings on DHSS’ Herman Holloway Campus, 1901 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle (on U.S. 13 near I-295):

Main Administration Building, Charles Debnam Building and Springer Building. Open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; collection runs through Nov. 28.

Public libraries in New Castle County (all through Nov. 28):

• Bear Library, 101 Governors Place, Bear (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Fridays)
• Hockessin Library, 1023 Valley Road, Hockessin (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Thursdays)
• Newark Free Library, 750 Library Ave., Newark (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, and Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday; closed Thursdays)

And these additional locations through Nov. 11:

• Millville Town Hall, 36404 Road 351, Millville (9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday)
• Georgetown Public Library, 123 W Pine St., Georgetown (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday)
• Milford Public Library, 11 SE Front St., Milford (9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday)
• Fabulous Salon, 900 Dupont Highway, Milford

Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney and Delaware Libraries celebrated libraries and reading during Summer Library Reading Celebrations at the Milford Public Library and Route 9 Library and Innovation Center. The First Lady, Delaware Libraries, United Way and other partners encourage all children and teens to continue to use their most valuable school supply, a library card, year-round!

“Promoting early literacy and school readiness is a critical part of giving all of Delaware’s children a ‘first chance’ to succeed,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “The library habit is about literacy, as well as parent-child engagement and access to other services that support strong and healthy families. To support our families and a First Chance for all of our children, I encourage every Delawarean to get and use a Delaware library card.”

“Librarians help to generate a passion for reading and learning,” said Jeffrey Bullock, Delaware’s Secretary of State. “A healthy reading habit motivates, inspires, encourages creativity and ensures school success.”​

“Opening a book opens children’s minds to possibilities and expands their view of other worlds,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Delaware’s Secretary of Education.  “Libraries are a wonderful place to start those adventures for all readers.”

“To borrow a line from Emily Dickinson, libraries allow us to ‘dwell in possibility,’” said State Representative Krista M.Z. Griffith. “They are lighthouses for learning and oases for imagination.”

The Colonial School District Libraries are members of the Delaware Library Consortium, and a new pilot program with New Castle County Libraries for teens in the district was launched at the Route 9 Library & Innovation Center. The new library card enables teens to check out up to twelve items fine-free from any library in New Castle County. The Colonial School District is including library card applications with their parent paperwork.

“Our library system enables countless residents to study, learn, and find work,” said New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer. “I am excited for the new teen library card and the endless possibilities as well as help to overcome barriers such as library fines, a long-time challenge when it comes to continued literacy and growing appreciation for our libraries.”

By allowing students to check out multiple books, providing access to diverse literature across multiple genres, we are allowing our students to utilize books as mirrors, windows, and doors as a means to make connections, share perspectives, and learn more about the world and ourselves,” said Dr. Dusty Blakey, Superintendent, Colonial School District.

“Anytime is a great time for students and their families to engage in activities that nurture a love of reading,” said Schlonn Hawkins, Director, Get Delaware Reading. “United Way is excited to provide resources that will help children avoid summer learning loss and prepare for the upcoming school year.”

Frequent library use immerses children in “book floods” to support reading, rather than “book deserts,” said State Librarian, Dr. Annie Norman.  “Studies have shown that children who participate in public library summer programs score higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the new school year, experience less summer reading loss, and begin the school year with more confidence.”

About:

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/workshops, community partnerships, and more.