Delray Beach Public Library
🏢 Delray Beach Public Library · Delray Beach, Florida
Delray Beach Public Library
Founded in 1913 by the Ladies Improvement Association with just 40 books and a $10 gift from Henry Flagler, the Delray Beach Public Library is one of only two nonprofit public libraries in Florida — a century-plus institution on Atlantic Avenue serving over 18,000 program attendees a year.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–5pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 100 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444
Phone: (561) 266-0194
Website: delraylibrary.org
Plus Code: 76RXFW6G+J5 (Delray Beach, FL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Delray Beach Public Library
The Delray Beach Public Library was established in 1913 when the Ladies Improvement Association assembled a founding collection of 40 books through community fundraising, including a $10 donation from railroad magnate Henry Flagler the following year. By 1939 the Delray Beach Public Library Association was formally incorporated and the city began its first annual operating grant in 1942. In a milestone of civic equity, the board unanimously voted in 1960 to issue library cards regardless of race. The current landmark facility at 100 W. Atlantic Avenue opened in 2006, with a Children's Library expansion adding STEM labs and a recording studio in 2016. Today the library holds more than 136,000 physical items alongside over one million digital and streaming resources, hosts approximately 2,000 programs a year, and operates as one of only two 501(c)(3) nonprofit public libraries in Florida — named Nonprofit of the Year by the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce in 2023.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1913 by the Ladies Improvement Association — one of Florida's oldest continuously operating public libraries
- One of only two 501(c)(3) nonprofit public libraries in Florida, named Nonprofit of the Year 2023
- Over 136,000 physical items plus one million+ digital and streaming resources
- Technology, Training & Innovation Lab with 3D printing, large-format printing, and a recording studio
- ~2,000 programs annually reaching ~18,000 attendees; Children's Department runs 400+ programs serving 9,500 children per year
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Delray Beach cardholders get free access to Florida's statewide digital library and the library's streaming platforms:
📚 Services
- Technology, Training & Innovation Lab (3D printing, large-format printing, recording studio)
- Business Center for job search and career development
- Homework Center for students
- Art Gallery with rotating exhibitions
- Meeting room and study room rentals
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Library on the Go mobile outreach services
- Free parking
🎸 Programs
- Children's classes for ages 0–12 (400+ programs/year)
- Teen programs (~200 annually)
- Adult education classes and technology training
- Scam prevention and consumer protection workshops
- Story times and early literacy programming
- Author events and book discussions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Palm Beach County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Delray Beach · Browse all Florida libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Delray Beach Public Library begin, and what makes it unusual for Florida?
The library was founded in 1913 by the Ladies Improvement Association with a collection of just 40 books raised through community fundraising. Henry Flagler donated $10 in 1914. What makes it unusual is its nonprofit status: Delray Beach Public Library is a 501(c)(3) organization — one of only two nonprofit public libraries operating in Florida. It has been serving the community for more than 110 years.
What is in the Technology, Training & Innovation Lab?
The lab, added during the 2016 Children's Library expansion, includes a 3D printer, large-format printer, and a recording studio. It is available to cardholders for creative, educational, and professional projects — from printing prototypes to recording podcasts. Ask staff at the library for scheduling and usage guidelines.
Is the library open on Sundays, and does that change by season?
Yes, the library is open Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm — but only from September through May. During summer months the Sunday hours are suspended. Monday through Wednesday the library is open until 8 pm; Thursday through Saturday until 5 pm.
What is the Florida Electronic Library and can I use it from home?
The Florida Electronic Library (FEL) is a statewide collection of online databases — magazines, newspapers, academic journals, genealogy records, and more — available free to all Florida residents 24/7. Delray Beach cardholders can access FEL at floridaelectroniclibrary.org using their library card number. No card? You can still access some resources using your Florida driver's license or ID number.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.