Duff Creek Regional Library reports sharp rise in visits and circulation; fundraising planned after funding cuts
June 02, 2026 | Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware
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Rick Horsey, president of the Duff Creek Regional Library, told the Smyrna Town Council on June 1 that the library has seen substantial growth in users and programming and is planning fundraising to offset recent cuts in external funding.
Horsey said April’s door count was 6,755 and that 58,639 people have entered the library so far this fiscal year. "Our average daily count is 241 people a day," he said, and reported 1,625 new patron registrations since July 1, 2025. From July 1 to April 30, the library recorded 53,383 total checkouts; the organization has offered 66 programs with total attendance of 10,051 people. Horsey said the summer reading program launched May 23 with 305 registrants and that volunteers handed out 1,200 free books at a town event.
Why it matters: The library’s numbers illustrate growing use of town facilities and a need to secure stable funding. Horsey said Newcastle County and the Delaware Division of Libraries reduced funding for the coming fiscal year by $33,924, prompting the library to plan fundraising events including a golf tournament and a 5K.
Horsey said the library has seven school partnerships and has hosted 11 conferences for the Delaware Department of Education so far this year. He described the solar array recently installed at the library as already helping to reduce electricity costs and said the library’s 2025 revenue is on budget and expenses are projected to come in slightly under budget.
The presentation concluded with Horsey thanking the town for its continued support and with a reminder that the library board will vote on its 2027 budget on June 11. "We look forward to the great things that this library is doing for not only the Smyrna community, but Clayton and Kenton and Towns End," he said.
The council did not take action on library funding at the meeting; Horsey said the library will pursue local fundraising and partnerships to cover the funding shortfall.
Horsey said April’s door count was 6,755 and that 58,639 people have entered the library so far this fiscal year. "Our average daily count is 241 people a day," he said, and reported 1,625 new patron registrations since July 1, 2025. From July 1 to April 30, the library recorded 53,383 total checkouts; the organization has offered 66 programs with total attendance of 10,051 people. Horsey said the summer reading program launched May 23 with 305 registrants and that volunteers handed out 1,200 free books at a town event.
Why it matters: The library’s numbers illustrate growing use of town facilities and a need to secure stable funding. Horsey said Newcastle County and the Delaware Division of Libraries reduced funding for the coming fiscal year by $33,924, prompting the library to plan fundraising events including a golf tournament and a 5K.
Horsey said the library has seven school partnerships and has hosted 11 conferences for the Delaware Department of Education so far this year. He described the solar array recently installed at the library as already helping to reduce electricity costs and said the library’s 2025 revenue is on budget and expenses are projected to come in slightly under budget.
The presentation concluded with Horsey thanking the town for its continued support and with a reminder that the library board will vote on its 2027 budget on June 11. "We look forward to the great things that this library is doing for not only the Smyrna community, but Clayton and Kenton and Towns End," he said.
The council did not take action on library funding at the meeting; Horsey said the library will pursue local fundraising and partnerships to cover the funding shortfall.
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