Delray Beach Public Library

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 at 100 W. Atlantic Avenue.[3]

At 46,826 square feet and two stories, the current library building is twice the size of the original.[3] The first floor houses new materials, self-checkout machines, audiovisuals, periodicals, the circulation desk, and the children’s department.[4] The meeting rooms, also on the first floor, seat up to 200 people.[4] The Lynda Hunter and Virginia Kimmel children's library also features an audio recording studio and a technology lab with 3D printers.[5] The second floor has a computer training technology lab, 40 PCs for public use, the Tower Conference Room, the Young adult room, quiet study rooms, and the Reference department.[4] The young adult and adult non-fiction, reference, 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]

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.[6] The Delray Beach Public Library provides free information and resources which include printed books for all ages, audio books, large print books, magazines, foreign language materials, music CDs, videos, DVDs, as well as free access to the Internet, electronic databases, proctoring services, art exhibits, concerts, a Lifelong Learning Community Institute, computer instruction, homework help, and job search assistance.[6][7]

The library also offers services that cater to different age groups. It provides library story times that encourage early literacy in children and offers special after school programs and STEM classes that are centered on a child’s interests. Teenagers have the option to take advantage of the volunteer opportunities the library has to offer throughout the year where they can earn community service hours, skill enhancement, and career readiness. Teens can also use Brainfuse in order to receive live tutoring and test prep information. The library supplies adults with volunteer opportunities as well, and provides opportunities for lifelong learning, community connections, and civil discourse. The library regularly hosts special events and programs for adults, which include yoga, Socrates Café, and adult coloring club.

In addition to in person, online, email and telephone assistance, library members can also Book-A-Librarian to get one-on-one research assistance.

The Information Services Department is equipped to proctor print or online examinations, based on availability, for distance learners.

The library’s Interlibrary Loan service offers library members access to materials from other libraries if they are interested in an item the library does not own.

• Laugh with the Library, an annual comedy benefit[8]

• Greater Delray Beach Chamber Of Commerce - Luminary Gala Award, Non-Profit Organization of the Year 2011-2012[9]
• Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties-Forever Endowment Challenge (2017)[10]

• Delray Beach Public Library