Partnership with Delaware Libraries Makes Corporate
Filings Faster and More Accessible

Wilmington, DE – Joined by Delaware entrepreneurs and small business owners, Gov. Jack Markell today launched a new web portal to deliver online business formation and related services in support of in-state businesses.

Global Delaware, the Division of Corporations, the Division of Libraries, and public libraries across the state have teamed up with two Delaware-licensed registered agents, CT Corporation and IncNow, to make business registration available directly from the state for the first time.

Until now, Delawareans looking to form an entity directly with the state had to file through the mail or in-person at the Division of Corporations offices in Wilmington or Dover. With this new service, residents can complete the task online or at a Delaware public library with help from a librarian. This new option is quick, safe and cost-effective.

“The collaborative effort puts a terrific resource in the hands of our residents, and is exactly the direction we want to be headed in: Supporting local companies looking to create business structures that will enable expanded growth and success,” said Governor Markell.

Registration services on the Division of Libraries’ online platform have been customized for Delaware businesses, with the backing of the Division of Corporations as well as Delaware’s extensive public library network. The registration service will reside on the Delaware Libraries Entrepreneurship Community page, with other online tools and resources designed to support budding businesses.

“More than 1.2 million legal entities are incorporated in Delaware from around the world. I’m pleased that CT Corporation and IncNow took up the challenge of creating a product specifically targeted to the needs of small Delaware-based businesses,” explained Rick Geisenberger, director of the Division of Corporations. “By partnering with trusted agents and public libraries, we can further ensure that local entrepreneurs have convenient access to services they need when it comes time to start a business.”

“This partnership with Global Delaware is a great opportunity for us to add expert tools that support microbusinesses here in the State,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Delaware Libraries serve as a hub for connecting Delawareans with the information and resources they need to help them move forward with their plans to launch a new business.”

Librarians across the state received training on the new business registration platform in order to assist Delawareans who want to use the service. In addition, the new online service includes dedicated helplines staffed by professionals from IncNow and CT Corporation who will help walk users through the process and answer questions.

“State agencies continue to work together to help Delaware businesses become more informed, supported and competitive,” said Andrea Tinianow, director of Global Delaware. “We hope the local business community will take full advantage of this newest resource, and to let us know how else we can help.”

What: Launch of Plazas Comunitarias at the Bear Library
Plazas Comunitarias is a program for Spanish speaking adults in Delaware to complete Elementary education courses in Spanish online. The program first originated through a memorandum of understanding on education established between the Mexican and U.S. governments in 1990, aimed at raising the living standards of Spanish speakers living in the United States. Plazas Comunitarias provides an on-ramp for graduates to then further their education in English. Spanish-speaking adults of any nationality are eligible to attend.

The Delaware Division of Libraries partnered with the Mexican Consulate to pilot this program at the Bear Library in New Castle County. If successful, the intent is to expand the program to libraries in Kent and Sussex counties. The first class is at capacity with 15 students.

When:
Sunday, October 2, 2016, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Where:
Bear Library, 101 Governors Pl. Bear, DE

Who:

• Diana Brown, New Castle County Department of Community Services
• Consul Alicia Kerber-Palma, Consulate of Mexico
• Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian
• Guadalupe Castañeda, Program Coordinator, Plazas Comunitarias Delaware

Student speakers:

• Araceli Luna Perez
• Victor Manuel Perez Romo
• Jose Alberto Alvarez Olivares
• Fidel Espino Fuentes

Contacts:
Yara Mendoza, Consulado de Mexico en Filadelfia
(215) 922-4262 x510, ygmendoza@sre.gob.mx

Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian
(302) 257-3001, annie.norman@delaware.gov

Thanks Delaware STEM for featuring an Op-Ed by State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Delaware Libraries juggle, proudly, to support all possible learning opportunities for our communities. Libraries have evolved over the past 115 years, and in turn, we support Delawareans in learning – and renewal – throughout life.”

The Delaware Division of Libraries and Delaware public libraries invite children, teens, and adults to join the 2016 Library Summer Challenge! Themes for this year revolve around physical activities, “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read” for kids, “Get in the Game, Read” for teens, and “Exercise Your Mind. Read!” for adults. Registration is free at all public libraries and incentive prizes are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.

“The Library Summer Challenge is a lighthearted way to approach the serious topic of summer learning loss,” 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.”

Throughout the summer, libraries will provide a variety of fun and educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), art, and cultural programs. The following programs for children will be presented at all public libraries throughout the state; visit http://guides.lib.de.us/onyourmark for the schedule of events and additional information:

Hip Hop Fundamentals is a diverse team of B-Boys (breakdancers) who use their footwork, freezes, and powermoves to inspire, educate, and entertain young and old alike. But, don’t be fooled. These guys can pop lock, head spin, and floor rock with the best B-Boys and B-Girls around. In partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts

123 Andrés leads the audience on a movement-filled marathon around the Americas with stops to learn about music and dance. 123 Andrés encourages children and their families to share experiences, joy, and laughter through songs and movement. He performs bilingually in English and Spanish and provides his own accompaniment with guitar, clarinet, and saxophone. In partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts

A Healthy Portion of Science is how the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation will lead children through science, math, and engineering on the way to good health. You and your child will be introduced to the food groups and what we can learn from food packaging labels. Take a walk through the digestive system, learn how to find your pulse and count its rate, and see how the muscles and bones of the legs enable movement. Use food labels to practice math skills like classifying, counting, comparing numbers on a number line, and mental math. Do the work of an engineer as you model the organs that aid digestion and circulate your blood. On your mark, get science, and go healthy!

The Delaware Nature Society, in conjunction with Abbott’s Mill and Ashland Nature Centers will present a variety of nature-related programs at public libraries throughout the summer and fall.

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.

If you’ve clicked “download” on eBooks or eAudiobooks from a Delaware library, you are one of the thousands of Delawareans who have collectively checked out more than 1 million eMedia titles in just 4 years, since the service began in December 2011!

Interest in eMedia remains strong and continues to grow with annual checkouts increasing 30% over the previous year, and on December 28, 2015, 1,384 eBooks were downloaded in a single day – a new record! There are now over 30,000 titles in the digital collection, and on average, 34,000 eMedia titles are checked out from Delaware Libraries each month.

“Delaware Libraries are successfully supporting the creation of a culture of innovation,” said Governor Markell. “As we embrace new ways to read and gain knowledge, we have the opportunity to provide all Delawareans with the ability to become innovators themselves by giving them access to more information and in a variety of formats.”

Delaware Libraries annually receive over 6 million visits in person and online, and invest in resources, both print and digital, to serve all Delawareans. “Providing eBooks, eMagazines, and streaming video available for loan demonstrates our commitment to supporting library collections in all formats as they evolve,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. Patrons new to the service can find their first eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video by selecting “eMedia” from http://delawarelibraries.org. Help is available online or in person at local libraries.

“Delaware libraries offer an unbeatable value: free checkout of eBooks and eAudiobooks through the statewide online Delaware Library Catalog,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “We encourage all Delawareans to try out the latest collections, and help us reach our new goal of one million downloads per year!”

Library Friends groups throughout the state are supporting the eMedia collection. Library patrons may also invest in the purchase of additional eBooks by joining their local Friends groups and/or by making tax-deductible contributions to the Delaware Libraries eBook account at the Delaware Community Foundation, https://delcf.org/fund/delaware-division-of-libraries-e-book-fund

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/classes, community partnerships, and more.

Contact:
Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian
302-257-3001
Annie.norman@delaware.gov