Delray Beach Public Library
| Delray Beach Public Library | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 26°27′41″N 80°04′29″W / 26.46129°N 80.07459°W | |
| Location | Delray Beach, Florida |
| Type | Public Library |
| Established | 1913 |
| Other information | |
| Director | Alan Kornblau |
| Website | Official site |
The Delray Beach Public Library is an independent, non-for-profit 501(c)3 library located in Delray Beach, FL in Palm Beach County, FL.[1] The library is funded through public and private partnerships and is not a part of government.[1]
Mission
The Delray Beach public Library’s mission is to foster the love of reading, to encourage lifelong learning, and to provide comprehensive range of library materials, programs and services for adults, teens, and children1.[1]
History
On April 11, 1913, 40 women from the Ladies Improvement Association of Delray Beach met and each donated one book to start a library in Delray Beach, FL.[2] In 1916, the library was moved to the Booster Hall.[2] Additionally, the Ladies Improvement Association received a ten dollar gift from Henry Flagler to support the library.[2] In 1939, the Delray Beach Public Library officially became a not-for-profit corporation, a 501(c)3 library.[3]
In 1940, the Delray Beach Public Library Association cultivated a public private partnership between the City of Delray Beach and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).[3] In 1950, after community fund-raising the library was moved to SE 4th Avenue with 15,000 books in circulation.[3] In 2006, the Delray Beach Public Library was moved to its current location on 100 W. Atlantic Avenue.[3]
Facilities
At 46,826 square feet and two stories, the current location at 100 W. Atlantic Avenue is twice the size of the original library.[3] The first floor houses new materials, self-checkout machines, audiovisuals, periodicals, circulation department, and children’s department.[4] The meeting room, also on the first floor, seats 200 people.[4] The second floor has a computer training technology lab, 40 PCs in the computer area, Tower conference room, the Young adult room, quiet study rooms, and the Reference department.[4] The YA and adult non-fiction, reference, and biography, and older fiction collections can be found on the second floor as well. Wi-Fi is available to the public throughout the library.[4]
Services
Current residents in the state of Florida can receive a free library card.[4] The Delray Beach Public library has over 2,000 visitors per day.[5] The Delray Beach Public Library provides free information and resources which includes children, young adult, and adult printed books, audio books, large print books, magazines, foreign language materials, music CDs, videos, DVDs, as well as free access to the Internet, electronic databases, proctoring service, art exhibits, concerts, children story times, a Lifelong Learning Community Institute, computer instruction, homework help, and job search assistance.[5][6]
Annual events
- Dine Out For a Cause[7]
- Food, Glorious Food: Healthy, Local & Delicious!, A local food symposium[7]
- Girls, Pearls, Hats & Heels: In Recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month[7]
- Laugh with the Library, an annual comedy benefit[7]
Awards
- Greater Delray Beach Chamber Of Commerce - Luminary Gala Award, Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2011-2012[8]
References
- ^ a b c "About Us". Retrieved 2 May 2014.
- ^ a b c Farrar, C. W., & Farrar, M. Incomparable Delray Beach: its early life and lore. Star Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 31–32.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e Kleinberg, E. "Delray public library marks its 100th year". Historic Palm Beach.
- ^ a b c d e "FAQ". Delray Beach Public Library. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Community Services". Delray Beach Public Library. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Lifelong Learning Community Institute @ the Delray Beach Public Library" (PDF). Delray Beach Public Library. Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Delray Beach Public Library Facebook". Retrieved 3 May 2014.
- ^ "Luminary Gala Winner List Master Past Luminary Gala Award Winners" (PDF). Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 3 May 2014.