Milford Public Library
🏢 Delaware Division of Libraries · Milford, Delaware
Milford Public Library
Milford Public Library traces its roots to 1882 and today welcomes nearly 139,000 visitors a year at its riverside Front Street location — a 595% rise in under two decades. A notary is on staff, the Library of Things lends tools and gadgets, and a dedicated Teen Center gives young adults their own after-school space.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 11 SE Front Street, Milford, DE 19963
Phone: (302) 422-8996
Website: milford.lib.de.us
Plus Code: 87C6WH7C+4X (Milford, 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 Milford Public Library
Milford Public Library has served the community straddling Kent and Sussex counties since 1882, when the Milford Library Association was established with R. H. Davis as its first president. After the Association dissolved in 1911, local residents kept books circulating through private collections, and in 1926 Mollie Brown donated approximately 2,300 books to relaunch the institution on a permanent footing. Miss M. Edith Simpson served as librarian from 1927 to 1975, shepherding the library through decades of growth. A purpose-built building at 214 South Walnut Street opened January 17, 1960, funded in part by a bequest from Daniel Hirsch, and in 1993 the library moved to its current address at 11 Southeast Front Street along the Mispillion River. An expansion in November 2010 doubled the facility's size, and by fiscal year 2025 annual visitors had reached nearly 139,000 — up 595% in under 20 years. The library offers notary services, a Library of Things collection, telehealth access, a dedicated Teen Center and Mango Languages for the area's growing multilingual population, all backed by the statewide Delaware Library Catalog.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded in 1882 as the Milford Library Association — one of Delaware's older public library traditions, relaunched in 1926 with Mollie Brown's donation of 2,300 books
- Current Front Street building opened 1993, with a 2010 expansion that doubled the facility; nearly 139,000 visitors in FY2025 (up 595% in under 20 years)
- Notary service available on-site for patrons needing document notarization
- Library of Things collection loans tools, gadgets and other non-book items alongside the regular circulating collection
- Dedicated Teen Center with its own hours (Mon–Thu 12–7pm, Fri 12–5pm, Sat 10am–2pm) and FamilySearch affiliate access for genealogy research
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Milford cardholders can download, stream and research free with their Delaware library card:
📚 Services
- Notary service available on-site
- Library of Things — borrow tools, gadgets and more
- Telehealth services — private space for medical video appointments
- Public computers, wireless printing & free Wi-Fi
- Teen Center with dedicated space and hours for teens
- FamilySearch Affiliate Library for genealogy research
- Meeting rooms available by application
- Community guidance services (La Esperanza & Haitian Community Guidance on-site)
- Interlibrary loan through the Delaware Library Catalog
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programs
- Teen Center programming and events
- Adult programs including Chair Yoga by Elena
- Cookbook Book Club (second Monday monthly)
- Community guidance services for multilingual residents
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Author events and book discussions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Kent & Sussex County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Milford Public Library, and how did it begin?
The library's origins go back to 1882, when the Milford Library Association was organized. After it dissolved in 1911, the tradition continued through private home collections until 1926, when Mollie Brown donated about 2,300 books and the modern library was relaunched. The current building at 11 SE Front Street opened in 1993 and was expanded in 2010.
Does Milford Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. A notary is available on-site at Milford Public Library. Contact the library at (302) 422-8996 to confirm current notary hours before visiting.
What is the Teen Center at Milford Public Library?
The Teen Center is a dedicated space for teenagers, with its own schedule: Monday–Thursday 12–7 pm, Friday 12–5 pm and Saturday 10 am–2 pm. It provides computers, a comfortable space to study or hang out, and teen-specific programming separate from the main library floor.
Can I do genealogy research at Milford Public Library?
Yes. Milford Public Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, giving in-library patrons access to billions of genealogical records and images from the world's largest free family-history database. NewsBank's historical collections, including the Delaware State News archive, are also available for local research.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.