News and Happenings – Library Foundation of Delaware County

MARPLE PUBLIC SEED LIBRARY

Winter’s approach didn’t stall the efforts of Scout Jacob as he and his dad planned a Seed Library for Marple Public Library. The project was conceived and completed as Jacob worked toward attaining his Eagle Scout designation.

Funds were provided by the Library Foundation of Delaware County as part of its inaugural Grant Program. All county libraries were invited to apply for a $1,500 grant to implement a program, idea, or library improvement that would otherwise not be possible due to lack of funds. Ten libraries were selected and Marple’s innovative Seed Library was one.

The library’s card catalog was repurposed as a seed catalog, storage, and display piece. Using expert woodworking skills, lots of time and muscle the cabinet was transformed and is now both beautiful and functional.

Director LaTanya Burno and Christina Rivera, Development/Marketing Director were on hand to dedicate the piece and introduce the program. Library patrons will be able to borrow gardening books, tools, and equipment using the provided seeds to start their own garden.

Who says libraries are only about books? Not the patrons of Marple Public Library. And Jacob’s comment “I hope to come back in a few years and see how much it has been used” shows his well-deserved pride and community spirit.

Darby Free Library Grant Recipient Update

The Darby Free Library was one of ten Delaware County libraries selected for the LFDC 2023 Grant Program. Susan Borders, Executive Directress, submitted the application “I NEED TO PRINT” and explained how the new wireless printer would allow patrons to print directly from their phone or computer device. Patrons are delighted and clearly, the printer is a welcome addition and something the founders certainly did not anticipate when they founded the library in 1743!

Brinker Simpson & Company, LLC Donates to the Library Foundation of Delaware County

Mary Pat Lynam, Development Director, LFDC; Lori Meehan, Client Services; Tom McGarrigle, Jr., Partner; and Tom Harris, Accounting Associate.

Generosity is a given at Brinker Simpson & Company, LLC in Media, PA. Well, at least it is the result of staff happy to pay for the privilege of “Dress Down Friday” – the proceeds of which are donated monthly to various Delaware County non-profits.

In July, the Library Foundation of Delaware County was the fortunate beneficiary. The generous donation from Brinker Simpson will assist in the library foundation’s mission to enhance library services throughout Delaware County. This year the library foundation will purchase Museum Passes for 28 locations. The foundation also implemented its first Grant Program where ten libraries were selected to receive up to $1,500. The applications were varied and represented needs specific to each library – such as innovative programming, enhanced library areas, and expanded collections.

The people of Brinker Simpson recognize the importance of supporting their communities – as does the Library Foundation of Delaware County.

LIBRARY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Library Foundation of Delaware County is committed to its mission of expanding quality library services within Delaware County by providing support, either financially or through programming, to close the gap between community needs and available government funding. The 2023 Library Grant Program was established to financially support that goal.

On May 15, 2023, the Library Foundation of Delaware County announced the recipients of its inaugural Library Grant Program. All 28 county library locations were invited to apply for a total of ten awards with a maximum grant of $1,500. Libraries were encouraged to be innovative and resourceful when considering options for use of these funds and 25 applications were submitted. Ten county libraries can now make some of their ‘wish list’ items a reality. As always, the LFDC seeks to fund those needs that are not possible without external funding.

Applications were quite varied and very much individualized to meet each library’s needs. Included were requests for furniture, a seed exchange program, an end-of-life planning book club, drone education, entrepreneurial soap making, adult crafting, and many more interesting community educational programs.

The following libraries are the 2023 LFDC Grant Program selectees:

J. Lewis Crozer Library: Filling the Gaps
Darby Free Library: I Need to Print (printer and supplies)
Lansdowne Public Library: Global Collection
Marple Public Library: Seed Library
Newtown Public Library: Play with a Purpose!
Norwood Public Library: The Solution Squad STEM Club
Sharon Hill Public Library: Community Garden Party/Lot of Love
Tinicum Memorial Public Library: Children’s Area Upgrade
Upper Darby Township & Sellers Memorial Free Public Library: Video Game Programming and Circulating Collection
Yeadon Public Library: Project Chromebook and Laptop

The LFDC anticipates funding another round of grants to further enhance Delaware County Library services. If you’d like to learn more or add your support to the Library Foundation of Delaware County visit http://supportdelcolibraries.org/

Library Grant Program

The Library Foundation of Delaware County has implemented The Library Grant Program as its newest initiative. Ten grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded to selected Delaware County Libraries. Applications are being accepted through March and the awards will be announced on May 15, 2023.

This grant was created to assist county libraries with funds to provide new and innovative services, programs or additions to their collections which have not been possible due to lack of funding. “There is no one more creative than a financially pressed librarian,” said Board President Nancy Davis so the LFDC board is excited to see what creative ideas are in store for county residents.

The Library Foundation is committed to its mission of expanding quality library services within Delaware County and so the establishment of The Library Grant Program is intended to make some of those ‘wish list’ items a reality.

LFDC Appoints New Board Member

Jodi McGee is the newest Library Foundation board member effective 02/23/23. She brings expertise in marketing and branding to the foundation, is a co-founder of Inquisitive Insights, and is a strong library advocate and user. Jodi intends to use her business and communication skills to support and expand quality library services throughout Delaware County.

Museum Pass Program Available to All Delaware County Libraries

The Library Foundation of Delaware County is pleased to announce a new grant opportunity available to each member library location of Delaware County Libraries – the Library Foundation of Delaware County Museum Pass Program.

The Library Foundation of Delaware County will provide $500 to each library to purchase area museum passes for the use of all county patrons. Elmwood Park Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Mutter Museum are just some of the popular choices. These passes will enable patrons to utilize those attractions at no or reduced cost.

Ridley Township Public Library’s director, Donna Murray, shared a recent patron experience when thanking the LFDC for its support: Many thanks to you and the Foundation for the generous and ongoing support of DCL libraries. The museum, zoo, garden, and other passes are hugely popular with our patrons. Just today a family (mom and three children) were in getting new library cards. A co-worker was listing all the services we provide, including the passes. The family immediately checked out the Chanticleer Gardens pass and left the library quite giddy to be going there this weekend. Support such as this enables us to not only serve the community but to surprise and delight them with the many things we offer.

The mission of the Library Foundation of Delaware County, PA, is to secure resources and funding to enhance the basic library services provided by member libraries of the Delaware County Libraries. The Museum Pass Program meets that goal and expands library services for all county residents. This program demonstrates that libraries offer so much more than books!

To learn more about the Library Foundation of Delaware County or to assist the foundation in its mission to improve library services please visit https://supportdelcolibraries.org/

The Library Foundation of Delaware County Announces New Board Members

Four new members have joined the LFCD board effective January 14, 2022. Each person brings experience, expertise and enthusiasm to the position and intend to promote the foundation’s mission of expanding and enhancing library services across the county. They represent various areas of Delaware County, have expertise in fields such as communications, business development, libraries, community service and will bring those skills to their new position. Please welcome Judith Connors, Amy Graham, Ellen Fisher and Donna Samuel to the Library Foundation of Delaware County.

Working with the current members and the Director of Development, the LFDC will be actively seeking new means of support to fund initiatives such as the recently implemented eMaterials Grant Program. That program provided $2,000 to each county library location to expand its eBook collection. Online book borrowing is at an all time high and it is nearly impossible for the libraries to meet the demand. This collection expansion will make a direct and local impact on each community and its readers.

eMaterials Grant Program for All County Libraries Approved by LFDC

As approved at its January 21, 2022, meeting, the Library Foundation of Delaware County will offer a $56,000 grant for the purchase of ematerials to Delaware County Libraries (equaling $2,000 per location). Each member library location will have the option to use the funds on Overdrive Advantage+ purchases or allocate the funds to DCL HQ for consortium-level purchasing.

These funds will allow for a significant expansion of the ematerials collection across the county as well as allowing more libraries to join the Overdrive Advantage+ program. Each library director will choose the titles creating a true local impact.

Did you know:

Requests for ematerials increased an average of 58% per location since 2019 with some libraries seeing a more than 110% increase in demand?
Hold requests for ematerials are more than double that of physical materials?
These interesting statistics from The Pew Research Center survey dated 01/24/2022:
- The share of adults with an annual household income of less than $30,000 who have listened to an audiobook has increased 8 percentage points since 2019 (22% vs. 14%).
- The share of American adults living in urban communities who say they have read a book in any format in the previous 12 months grew from 75% in 2019 to 81% now – an increase of 6 percentage points.

You can access all electronic resources easily at http://www.delcolibraries.org/ using your free library card. Don’t have a library card? Simply visit one of the 28 locations to learn how libraries can help you with school, work, business and just plain fun. There is the expanded eBook collection, as well as print books, programs, computers, meeting spaces and more. As the logo says, “FIND MORE – DO MORE”.

“If we had a million dollars to purchase eMaterials it still would not meet the demand for this service but this sure goes a long way to helping all of our libraries and we are so grateful to the foundation” said Catherine Bittle, DCL Director.

The mission of the Library Foundation of Delaware County, PA, is to secure resources and funding to enhance the basic library services provided by member libraries of the Delaware County Libraries. Expanding the ematerials collection with Foundation funds meets that goal and expands library services for all. To learn more about the Library Foundation of Delaware County or to help the foundation continue its mission to improve library services please visit https://supportdelcolibraries.org/

LFDC Hires Director of Development

The Library Foundation of Delaware County (LFDC) is pleased to announce they have hired Mary Pat Lynam as the foundation’s first Director of Development. Lynam has extensive experience as a library advocate serving at the local and county level for more than 25 years.
“I’ve been a banker, stay-at-home mom, communications specialist for a school district, and an insurance agency owner, but this is my dream job – talking to and about libraries, expanding programing, working with community leaders and library supporters to expand library services and sharing the joy of reading, learning, and fun with young and old,” says Lynam
Lynam is expected to develop programing, promote the visibility of the foundation, seek community support and resources to expand LFDC’s mission of enhancing countywide library services. To date, the LFDC has provided free museum passes, PPE, mobile fingerprinting and more to benefit all county residents and their local libraries.
She will report to the LFDC board and work with the staff of The Foundation for Delaware County on a part-time basis. The Foundation for Delaware County is providing LFDC with back-office accounting support. With Lynam’s hiring and the nonprofit management services provided by The Foundation for Delaware County, residents can expect expanded services and offerings.

LFDC Receives Donation and Recognition

The Library Foundation of Delaware County has received a donation of $1,000.00 from The President’s Fund at The Foundation for Delaware County. This gift was made possible through the generosity of Frances M. Sheehan in honor of Mary Pat Lynam’s hiring and all that the Library Foundation board has done to stabilize the fund through the pandemic. Message from Frances M. Sheehan: May you continue to grow and benefit the residents of Delaware County for decades to come.