New Castle County libraries report large FY25 usage, outline programs and Newark Free Library progress

Catherine Wimberley, program manager for New Castle County Libraries, told the Community Service Committee on March 24 that libraries are providing broad services beyond lending books and reported substantial FY25 usage numbers.

"We like to say that learning happens in our libraries," Wimberley said, and she described literacy programs, computer classes and community events that serve residents of all ages. She said libraries provided about 1,600 story times, helped over 2,000 people with tax assistance and ran almost 500 teleservice sessions that produced more than 1,500 help requests across employment, health care and benefits services.

Wimberley presented FY25 statistics she said demonstrate continued public use: "almost 1,500,000 user visits, over 3,000,000 checkouts, and we had almost 200,000 people come and attend the programs that we offered," along with roughly 175,000 cardholders and thousands of meeting-room and computer reservations. She framed the numbers as a return on investment for county residents.

Highlighting expanded services, she described the 'library of things' — where patrons can check out tools, equipment and learning kits — and noted 1,600 museum-pass checkouts. Wimberley also emphasized outreach, saying staff held more than 200 off-site events at parks, schools and community fairs to connect residents with library services.

On facility updates, Wimberley told the committee the Newark Free Library's steel structure is in place and wall framing has begun. "We're really building a library that's going to meet the needs of our patrons today and how they'll use libraries tomorrow," she said.

Chairman Penrose Hollins praised the presentation and recognized division manager Dana Brown: "Not just checking out books anymore. I think Catherine made that very clear to all of us," he said.

The committee heard no online public comments on the library presentation during the meeting. The presentation concluded without a formal committee vote; next procedural steps were not specified during the session.