Kent County Public Library
Hilary Welliver, Ed.D. - County Librarian,
Assistant Director of Community Services
497 South Red Haven Lane, Dover, DE 19901 Directions
(302) 744-1919 / Fax: (302) 744-9680
Email: KCPL@co.kent.de.us
Business Hours: The library building and mobile library
are closed to the public.
Contact-less Curbside Pick-up
by Appointment Only:
10:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday-Friday
Closed Saturday-Sunday
Bookdrop Open for Returns (no donations)
News & Announcements
Programs
Mobile Library
Forms
Online Services
Get Involved
Changes in Hours/Procedures Protocols: The library is operating with limited services and reduced hours. Library staff will be available via telephone Monday through Friday from 10 a.m., to 5:00 p.m. Curbside services will be available Mondays through Fridays by appointment only; call (302) 744-1919.
Programs have moved online; check http://www.tinyurl.com/KCPLcalendar to see our calendar of events and to preregister. Please preregister at least 48 hours in advance of events, in order to receive the link + PIN the morning prior to the program via email. Please monitor the library's Facebook page (search "KCPLibrary") and this website for updates as services change in response to ongoing developments.
Social distancing and other proactive measures related to COVID-19 will be strictly enforced until statewide restrictions have been lifted and/or amended.
How does Curbside Pickup Work?
Here is how curbside contactless pickup works:
- Patron places a hold on an item in the Kent County Public Library's collection via the telephone or at lib.de.us.
- When the item becomes available, the patron receives a text or email.
- The patron calls Kent County Public Library at (302) 744-1919 to arrange a date/time for contactless curbside pickup. This service is popular, and slots fill up quickly, so there are no same day appointments.
- On the day of the appointment, library employees check the materials out to the patron and bag and tag the items for pickup.
- On the appointed time/date the patron drives to the library and parks in the designated parking space. Patron pops the trunk of the vehicle and calls library (302) 744-1919, informing staff of arrival.
- Staff collect the patron's bagged items and place these in the patron's trunk, then return to the library.
- Patron closes the trunk and drives home with new library materials to enjoy!
Important Update
Kent County Public Library is delighted to announce that the bookdrop was unlocked at 8:00 a.m., Monday, May 25, so patrons may begin returning library materials that they have been storing since the building closed in March.
Patrons should not be alarmed if their returned materials do not vanish from their file immediately. Some returns will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before being checked in.
The library building continues to be closed. Please do not leave library materials or donations outside the library's doors or deposit donated materials in the bookdrop. Thank you for your cooperation!
Updates and announcements will be made on the Kent County webpage and on the Kent County Public Library’s Facebook page (KCPLibrary) – we ask that you check these sites frequently as events unfold. Individuals with questions may contact the Library at (302) 744-1919. Media inquiries please go the County’s Public Information Office at (302) 744-2304.
Kent County Division of Libraries encourages the public to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) procedures for limiting potential transmission causes. Common procedures include: practicing good hygiene by washing hands with soap and water and then using hand sanitizer, avoiding large activities and gatherings, and staying home if you are feeling sick or have a sick family member in the home.
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Mango Languages: Click on the tab in the left column of this page, and use your Kent County Library Card barcode number + PIN to get started learning a foreign language -- FREE!
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DUE TO THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, ALL IN-PERSON PROGRAMS & EVENTS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY.
While our in-person programming and events have been sidelined, we will be offering online virtual programs to enjoy. Please monitor our Facebook page (KCPLibrary) for the most up-to-date listing and new program/event announcments.
Many of our virtual programs will be conducted via Zoom, an online meeting platform. Preregistration with an e-mail address is required. Registrants will receive instructions for joining the Zoom session the morning before the scheduled program. You can register online at www.tinyurl.com/KCPLcalendar or by calling (302) 744-1919.
If you would like to receive email notifications of upcoming events, please send an email message to KCPL@co.kent.de.us to let us know of your interest in this convenient service.
DUE TO THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19, STOPS & OUTREACH INVOLVING THE KENT COUNTY MOBILE LIBRARY ("LINUS") HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY.
Curbside Pick-Up is available at the main library by appointment; call (302) 744-1919. There are still many free statewide online resources available to mobile library users including:
Libby/Overdrive - Libby is a free app that gives users access to e-books and audiobooks across multiple devices -- both on- and offline. Titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period. Visit your device's app store or lib.de.us to download the Libby app.
Hoopla -- Hoopla is the new free digital media service offered by Delaware public libraries that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, e-books, ccomics/manga, and even TV shows via multiple devices including your TV. you can stream or download for viewing/reading offline. Titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period. Visit your device's app store or lib.de.us to download the Hoopla app.
Flipster -- Read your favorite magazines on various devices -- 100s of titles to choose from. Visit your device's app store or lib.de.us to download the Flipster app.
Ask a Delaware Librarian -- Got a question? Email, text, or chat with a Delaware reference librarian who will help you find an answer. (Depending on the depth of the information requested, it may take up to 24 hours for a response.) Visit
http://answers.delaware libraries.org/for more information.
How to Get a Library Card
It's easy to get a library card. All Kent County residents are eligible. Complete the registration form (see left menu) and print it out. Bring the form and a photo ID with your local address on it (a driver's license works well) to the library. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign for the card. Your library card is accepted at Delaware public libraries state-wide!
Applying for a Virtual Delaware Library CardWhen you
sign up online you gain access right away to all
eMedia! Download eBooks, read eMagazines, use online resources for FREE!
Get the
Mobile App and get access to your card right from your device, plus you can manage your account, place holds and much more.
It’s that easy! And it’s all FREE!
Applying for a Physical Delaware Library Card
Want more? Visit your public library to transfer your online account to a
full account, providing use of library computers and access to all materials, programs and services.
You can save some time on your first visit by filling out a library card application form (
https://lib.de.us/help/librarycard/) in advance, printing it out, and then heading to Kent County Public Library to complete your registration.
Do I need a card?
If you already have a public library card, perhaps issued by another Delaware library (
https://lib.de.us/list-of-libraries/) you can use it here. Only a few of our services, such as the use of Mango Languages, are restricted to Kent County Public Library- or Kent County Mobile Library-issued library cardholders.
If you have a card from an academic library, you will still need a Delaware public library card to use our library.
Who can get a card?
- Delaware residents or property owners
- Those employed in Delaware
- Delaware public or private school/college students
- Owners of property in Delaware
- There is an annual fee for out-of-state individuals to obtain a library card
Where can I get a card?
What do I need to bring with me to get a card?
Photo ID with current address
- Delaware driver’s license or
- Delaware state identification card
If your photo ID does not have your current address on it, please bring along one document from each of the following two sections:
Current Photo identification:
- Passport
- Alien Resident Card
- Government issued cards, such as Military ID
- State-issued photo ID including:
Welfare
Medicaid
FID card
- University or school ID
Proof of current local address (must include your name):
- Lease agreement
- Utility bill or tax bill (dated within the last 60 days)
Not acceptable as proof of current address:
- Rent receipts
- Personal letters
- Post Office Box
- Business address
Cards for children
Ages birth to 17:
- A parent or guardian must be present
- Parent/guardian signature
- Parent/guardian must have photo ID and proof of address
After contacting the Kent County Public Library (302-744-1919 or kcpl@co.kent.de.us) to coordinate the visit and group library card registration, organized school visits will require:
- Previously signed application form for child
- Address verification with school directory list
Meeting Room Application -- All events held in the library's meeting room are canceled, including those by outside organizations/groups, indefinitely, due to the outbreak of COVID-19
Catalog
The Delaware Library Catalog provides enhanced access to information through a single online library database to Delaware residents. Delaware library cards are accepted at 33 public libraries, 8 academic libraries, and 7 special libraries across the state. Click on the link on the menu on the left to access this extensive collection of materials and resources. You may need your library card number + PIN to use some features.
Ask a Librarian Delaware
Even when the library building is closed, our virtual services remain available. Ask a Librarian Delaware will help you find the answer to your questions -- generally within one business day. Access the service by submitting a question via text, email, or Facebook -- or by "clicking" on the icon on this webpage! Ask us! We are glad to help!
Volunteering
Kent County Public Library is not currently seeking volunteers. Volunteers assist staff in a variety of activities. To join our corps of dedicated volunteers, you must be age 16 or older, with reliable transportation.
Please print the volunteer application, complete it, and return it to the library. At that time, register for a volunteer orientation session or volunteer workshop. We do not accept subsidized work applicants from other government and non-profit programs; we are not a site that supervises court-ordered community service.
Friends of Kent County Public Library
The Friends of Kent County Public Library is a nonprofit organization made up of our greatest supporters. In addition to volunteering and fund-raising, Friends are our greatest advocates and educators. The Friends constantly seek to make our library better and to spread the news about our great programs, services, and collections! The Friends' group provides an opportunity to contribute ideas on events and activities and be part of the local cultural scene. (They are also a lot of fun!) An application form is provided to the left.
Library Advisory Committee (LAC)
The purpose of the Kent County Library Advisory Committee is to study, research, plan, and make advisory recommendations regarding the direction of libraries in Kent County for the future. The LAC consists of seven members, one from each of Kent County's Levy Court Districts. Members are appointed by Commissioners of the Kent County Levy Court.
Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce
Delaware Division of Small Business
Choose Central Delaware
Greater Kent Committee
Comprehensive Plan
