Kent County Public Library
🏢 Delaware Libraries · Dover, Delaware
Kent County Public Library
Run by Kent County Levy Court at 497 South Red Haven Lane in Dover, the Kent County Public Library packs roughly 300 free programs a year, a countywide mobile library and Delaware's full statewide digital collection into one of the state's smaller library buildings — and it was named the Delaware Library Association's 2024 Library of the Year.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Saturday | 1:00pm–5:00pm |
| Sunday | 1:00pm–5:00pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 497 South Red Haven Lane, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 744-1919
Website: kentcountyde.gov
Plus Code: 87F63CHX+VP (Dover, DE)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📍 Plan your visit
🚉 Getting there
497 S Red Haven Ln, Dover, DE 19901. Get transit & driving directions → (live subway, bus & car routes).
🚘 Parking
Free parking lot nearby.
♿ Accessibility
Includes wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible parking.
⭐ Visitor rating
4 / 5 from 78 Google reviews.
🕑 Best time to go
Usually calmest soon after opening; busiest around 5 pm.
Visit details from the library’s Google Business Profile, verified October 2026 — confirm on official page before a special-date trip.
📖 About Kent County Public Library
The Kent County Public Library (KCPL) is a county-run public library operated by Kent County Levy Court, serving Dover and the surrounding communities of central Delaware as part of the Delaware Libraries statewide network. Now located at 497 South Red Haven Lane after relocating from South Dupont Highway, it occupies a compact building of about 10,200 square feet — among the smallest public libraries in the state — yet it does far more than its footprint suggests. In May 2024 the Delaware Library Association named KCPL its Library of the Year, citing a program calendar of roughly 300 free events annually and a mobile library that carries books, card sign-ups, hold pickups and Wi-Fi hotspots to sites across Kent County. Because it is part of Delaware Libraries, a single free Delaware card borrows here and at every library statewide and unlocks the shared eBook, audiobook, movie and magazine collections. The building adds free public Wi-Fi that reaches into the parking lot, a 24/7 exterior book return, and a conference room that nonprofit and community groups can reserve at no charge on weekday evenings.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named the Delaware Library Association's 2024 Library of the Year
- Hosts roughly 300 free programs a year — book clubs, literacy events, cultural programs and live concerts by regional performers
- Operates a countywide mobile library offering checkouts, card sign-ups, hold pickups, laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots
- One of Delaware's smaller library buildings (about 10,200 sq ft) after relocating to 497 South Red Haven Lane
- Free public Wi-Fi that reaches into the parking lot, plus a 24/7 exterior book return
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Kent County cardholders tap Delaware's shared statewide collections plus KCPL learning tools — free with your library card:
📚 Services
- Free Delaware library card valid at every library in the statewide network, with special children's and teen cards
- Mobile library serving sites across Kent County (checkouts, card sign-ups, hold pickups, laptops & Wi-Fi hotspots)
- Roughly 300 free programs a year for all ages
- Conference room free for nonprofit and community groups after 5pm on weekdays ($30/hour for other groups)
- Public computers, printing, scanning and free Wi-Fi reaching into the parking lot
- 24/7 exterior book return
- Online learning tools: Mango Languages, HelpNow tutoring, JobNow job coaching and VetNow veteran support
- Ask a Librarian Delaware reference help by email, text and chat
🎸 Programs
- Book clubs and reading groups
- Literacy and early-learning programs
- Cultural events and live concerts by regional performers
- Movie screenings
- Children's, teen and all-ages programming, plus statewide online events through Delaware Libraries
📍 Nearby Libraries in Central Delaware
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Kent County Public Library have a seed library?
Yes. The Kent County Free Seed Library launched in 2025, supported by the Kent County Levy Court's Department of Community Services. Patrons can take seeds to grow at home, part of a growing collection of borrowable items beyond books. See what else you can borrow at libraries.
What can I borrow besides books at the Kent County Public Library?
Beyond books, the library offers a Library of Things collection of gadgets, tools and equipment, plus free seeds through its seed library. The county also runs a mobile library that brings materials and technology to residents across Kent County.
Is the Kent County Public Library the same as the Dover Public Library?
No — they are two separate libraries in Dover. The Kent County Public Library is run by Kent County Levy Court at 497 South Red Haven Lane, while the Dover Public Library is the city's own library downtown at 35 Loockerman Plaza. Both are part of the Delaware Libraries network, so one free Delaware card works at either.
What are the Kent County Public Library's hours?
The library is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A 24/7 exterior book return lets you return items any time the building is closed.
What is the Kent County mobile library?
It's a traveling branch that visits sites across Kent County during the week. At its stops you can check out and return materials, sign up for a library card, pick up holds you placed online, and use a laptop or borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot — bringing library service to residents who can't easily reach the Red Haven Lane building.
Can community groups use a meeting room at the library?
Yes. The library's conference room is free for nonprofit and community organizations after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays; other groups pay $30 per hour. It's part of why the Delaware Library Association named KCPL its 2024 Library of the Year, alongside its roughly 300 free programs a year.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
