(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.

Beth-Ann Ryan of the Delaware Division of Libraries has been named a “Mover and Shaker” in the library industry by the national publication, Library Journal.

In its March 15, 2016 issue, Library Journal named 54 outstanding professionals committed to providing excellent service and shaping the future of libraries. Beth-Ann was selected because of her commitment to the profession and her work on maximizing the statewide technology infrastructure (the Delaware Library Catalog), applying a library assessment logic model (Dewey Delaware), and creating the Inspiration Spaces in Delaware Libraries.

Beth-Ann currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. She has presented nationally on the power of training, technology, data and collaboration to drive success.

Library Journal honored Beth-Ann because of her work in harnessing technology to maximize strategic partnerships.

“This year’s class of 54 joins a group of talented professionals who are committed, passionate, and invigorated—each alone and all together transforming the library world and the communities it impacts for the better,” said Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director of Library Journal and School Library Journal.

“Using her technology savvy, Beth-Ann fast-tracked implementation of numerous technologies among libraries statewide. Delaware is the First State, and thanks to Beth-Ann we can be proud of being the first state to maximize a robust statewide library technology platform,” said State Librarian, Dr. Annie Norman.

Beth-Ann has been with the Delaware Division of Libraries since 2008, and has served as Deputy Director since 2011. She received a BA in Sociology and English from the University of Connecticut in 2000, an MLS from the University of Maryland in 2005 and Certification in Social Media Strategy from the University of Delaware in 2013.

The 2016 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession’s leading trade magazine. Each of the Movers & Shakers will be prominently featured in the March 15th issue of Library Journal and celebrated at a special reception in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Orlando, FL. The print feature’s companion website is sponsored by OCLC and available at www.libraryjournal.com/movers2016.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY
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 LIBRARY JOURNAL
Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.

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

Grand jury hands up indictments in 2010 Wilmington cold case, 2014 Village of Windhover shooting, 2015 Vandever Avenue shooting, 2015 Rodney Square stabbing, 2015 Hockessin murder victim found in car.

Six defendants were indicted by a New Castle County grand jury on Monday, December 21 in five homicide cases, including three murders from 2015, one from 2014, and what had been a cold case from 2010. Department of Justice prosecutors do not recall ever having indictments in five homicide cases in a single day.

“Justice is being pursued in all five of these cases – some from this year and some older — because of the unending efforts of our prosecutors and of the police agencies that serve these communities,” said Attorney General Matt Denn. “Their tireless efforts go a long way to help make our neighborhoods, cities, and state safer.”

One case dates back to 2010, and was solved through the combined efforts of the Wilmington Police Department’s Cold Case Unit and the Department of Justice Homicide Unit. During an argument in the 600 block of South Franklin Street in May 2010, Erik McNeely, 35, of Newark, fired three shots, killing Abel Flores. McNeely faces one count of first degree murder, and two counts of attempted murder.

“Sometimes people think a cold case must be solved with new technology or tests, but this case was able to be solved after five years because of the help and cooperation of witnesses. Through the relentless efforts of Wilmington Police Sergeant Matt Hall, Cold Case Investigator Partlow and Special Agent Ronnie Hnat, we were finally able to give answers to the Flores family,” said DOJ homicide unit head and deputy attorney general Ipek Medford. “We need our community to help us piece together cases. This case is an example that we need witnesses to tell what happened and bring justice, and not just forensic evidence like TV shows might have the public believe. ”

“I appreciate the hard work of everyone in our Cold Case Unit, and all of the agencies we work alongside, for keeping this case alive for five years,” said Wilmington Police Chief Bobby Cummings. “We will continue to work with the Department of Justice to bring cases like this to closure for the families of homicide victims.”

Two men, Isaac LeCompte, 22, of New Castle, and 20-year-old Jyaire Smith of Georgetown, Maryland were indicted in a second case, in connection with the death of Ira Hopkins in July 2014. Hopkins and friends were celebrating his birthday outside of his home in the Village of Windhover Apartments on Sandburg Place in Newark, when LeCompte and Smith approached with guns and ordered them to the ground. The two fired several shots, killing Hopkins and injuring one of his friends. LeCompte and Smith each face two counts of first degree murder (felony murder and intentional murder), one count of attempted murder, seven counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, four counts of robbery, one count of conspiracy, and one count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited.

“New Castle County Detectives have worked tirelessly on this case since this tragic incident occurred. From the initial response, the collection of evidence, conducting interviews and the process of preparing the case for the arrest and trial, every effort was made to ensure those responsible were brought to justice,” said Colonel Elmer Setting, Chief of the New Castle County Police Department. “Each of these cases is critically important and we are grateful for the on-going collaboration between the New Castle County Police Department and Delaware Attorney General’s office. If you commit murder in New Castle County, regardless of the length of time that has passed, our detectives and Cold Case investigators will remain relentless until they arrest those responsible for these heinous acts and hold them accountable for their actions,” Setting said.

In a third case, the man charged with stabbing Thomas Cottingham to death on Rodney Square in September 2015 was indicted on several charges. Calvin Hooker, 25, of Wilmington killed Cottingham, as Cottingham stepped in to protect a woman Hooker confronted along Market Street. Hooker was indicted for first degree murder, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of resisting arrest, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, and aggravated menacing.

In a fourth case, Hakiem Anderson, 31, of Wilmington was indicted on charges of first degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited in the fourth case. Anderson shot and killed Markevis Clark in the 800 block of Vandever Avenue in Wilmington in August 2015, after a brief argument.

The fifth homicide case indicted on December 21st, is that of Benjamin Rauf, 26, of Westerlo, New York. Rauf was arrested in connection with the Auguest killing of Shazim Uppal, who was found dead after being shot multiple times while sitting in his parked car in Hockessin. Rauf was indicted on two counts of first degree murder (felony murder and intentional murder), possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and first degree robbery.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Gifting a new smartphone, tablet, or eReader this year? Delaware Libraries have the collections needed to make the most of the latest digital devices!

Our eMedia collection contains more than 30,000 eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming videos, available for free with a Delaware Library Card.

New this year — holiday “gift cards” are available to print and slip into greeting cards to let recipients know about the libraries’ eMedia collections! To download one to print, just visit: (delawarelibraries.org/eHoliday)

Browse the collections at delawarelibraries.org/eMedia. Borrowed titles are automatically returned at the end of the lending period (with never any late fees!).

“Delaware Libraries offer an unbeatable value with free checkout of eMedia through the statewide Delaware Library Catalog” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman, “And we wish everyone Happy Holidays!”

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