Delaware City Library
🏢 Delaware Division of Libraries · Delaware City, Delaware
Delaware City Library
The Delaware City Library at 250 5th Street serves a small historic port town whose motto is 'Port of History' — the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, gateway to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island, and home to a Delaware City Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With Tuesday hours starting at 9 am and weekday evenings open until 8 pm, the library is a quiet anchor for this community of fewer than 2,000 residents in New Castle County.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 250 5th Street, Delaware City, DE 19706
Phone: (302) 834-4148
Website: lib.de.us
Plus Code: 87F6HCC5+V4 (Delaware City, DE)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Delaware City Library
The Delaware City Library serves Delaware City, a small but historically rich port town in New Castle County. Founded as a shipping hub at the eastern end of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal — one of the most strategically important waterways in early American history — Delaware City carries the official motto 'Port of History.' The town's Delaware City Historic District, the Eastern Lock of the C&D Canal, and Fort Delaware on nearby Pea Patch Island are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Delaware, a Union garrison during the Civil War that held Confederate prisoners, is accessible by ferry from Delaware City's waterfront and remains a popular heritage tourism destination. With a 2020 population of 1,885, Delaware City is one of Delaware's smallest municipalities — making the library at 250 5th Street a particularly important community hub. The library offers evening hours Monday through Thursday until 8 pm (with Tuesday opening at 9 am, the earliest of the week), plus Saturday hours. It is part of Delaware's statewide library network, giving cardholders free access to the Delaware Library Catalog, Libby eBooks, hoopla, Kanopy and more. The nearest public library is the New Castle Public Library, approximately 6 miles north.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Serves Delaware City, a New Castle County port town whose motto is 'Port of History' at the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal
- The Delaware City Historic District, the C&D Canal Eastern Lock and Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island are all on the National Register of Historic Places
- Evening hours Monday–Thursday until 8 pm, with Tuesday opening earliest at 9 am — the most flexible schedule for working residents
- Part of Delaware's statewide library network with access to the Delaware Library Catalog, Libby, hoopla and Kanopy
- Community anchor for a town of under 2,000 residents in New Castle County, 6 miles from the New Castle Public Library
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Delaware City cardholders access Delaware's full statewide digital collection free of charge:
📚 Services
- Public computers and WiFi
- Printing and copying services
- Delaware Library Catalog interlibrary loan
- Downloadable eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and streaming video
- Museum passes (Delaware Libraries statewide program)
- Digital literacy assistance
🎸 Programs
- Summer Reading Program
- Children's storytime and youth programming
- Adult programming and community events
- Northstar Digital Literacy training
📍 Nearby Libraries in New Castle County, Delaware
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Delaware City · Browse all Delaware libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Delaware City historically significant?
Delaware City sits at the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, one of the most strategically important waterways in early American history connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Delaware River. The town's motto is 'Port of History.' Its Delaware City Historic District, the C&D Canal Eastern Lock and Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fort Delaware, a Civil War Union garrison that held Confederate prisoners, is accessible by passenger ferry from Delaware City's waterfront.
What are the Delaware City Library's hours, and when is it open latest?
The library is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday noon–8 pm; Tuesday 9 am–8 pm (the earliest opening of the week); Saturday 11 am–4 pm. The library is closed on Friday and Sunday. Evenings until 8 pm on four days make it particularly accessible for residents who work during the day.
Can I access eBooks or stream movies with a Delaware City Library card?
Yes. As part of Delaware's statewide library network, a Delaware City Library card gives free access to Libby (eBooks and audiobooks), hoopla (movies, music, comics and TV with no waitlists), Kanopy (independent and classic films) and Flipster (eMagazines). All are available on your phone, tablet or computer 24/7.
How far is the Delaware City Library from other public libraries?
The nearest public library is the New Castle Public Library, approximately 6.3 miles north in New Castle, DE. The Corbit-Calloway Public Library in Odessa is about 8.8 miles to the south. Both are part of Delaware's statewide library network and honor each other's library cards.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.