A new, state-of-the-art Claymont Library could finally be a reality. And that's no fairytale.
Without much fanfare, Gov. Jack Markell included $1.5 million in funding for the construction of a new library in next year's budget, prompting the county to move Claymont up in its own queue.
New Castle County Executive Chris Coons won't give his budget address until March 16, but when he does, expect it to include as much as $4 million for the library.
The cost of the new 15,000-square-foot facility is north of $7 million however, and while the Friends of Claymont Library have pledged $500,000, the county would still have to bond additional money if any actual work is going to begin before the fall of 2011.
While those are big numbers, they're small details to the longtime patrons and employees of the library, who have been waiting since 1990 for a new building.
That's when a master plan of the county library system called for the construction of a free-standing, fully-functioning facility. It was never built however, even as other branches - Hockessin, Bear, Woodlawn, Brandywine Hundred and most recently Kirkwood - all got new facilities.
The Friends of the Claymont Library are planning a capital campaign once financial details are officially released. In the meantime, Treasurer Keelin Fry is urging library users to sign up as members of the Friends next time they visit. A $5 donation is requested, but not mandatory.
Claymont Library Timeline
1929: Lending library started by Women's Club of Claymont at the Old Stone School
1975: New Castle County assumes responsibility for Claymont library and staffs it with its first professional librarian.
1988: Library moved to the basement of the Claymont Community Center on Green Street.
May, 1997: An arson fire destroys much of the collection and library space.
Summer, 1997: Book trailer set up to accept donated books from the community.
October, 1997: Library reopens in 7,000-square-foot space in southeast corner of Community Center.
2009: New Castle County approves $25,000 in funding for needs assessment for a new library.
January, 2010: Consultant Studio JADE finds in needs assessment Claymont needs new, larger library and recommends four sites.
February, 2010: Gov. Jack Markell includes $1.5 million in state funding for library in recommended FY 2011 capital budget.
"Everyone is very excited to be getting close," said Library Manager Beth Kloetzer. "And for the staff, we look forward to being able to serve the public in a greater capacity."
Currently located in a 7,000-square-foot space on the first floor of the Claymont Community Center, Kloetzer says there's no room for the library to expand its collection or add additional computer terminals, where there's perpetually a waiting list.
Programming, especially for children, is a challenge in the current space.
"When we have story time for the kids, it's story time for everyone," quipped Kloetzer. "We don't have an activity room or a meeting room...so we get 100 kids plopped in the middle of the library."
Yet there are positives about the current location, from the partnerships the library has forged with other agencies in the community center to the location in the heart of Claymont, within walking distance of hundreds of homes.
"Wherever we go, we want it to remain walkable," Kloetzer said.
It appears she'll get her wish.
Councilman John Cartier (D-Holly Oak) says the developer of Darley Green, the 66-acre redevelopment project in the heart of Claymont, has agreed to donate a planned "Community Building" to New Castle County for the new library.
Plans are to extend Manor Avenue to the west side of Philadelphia Pike into the heart of Darley Green, where commercial buildings - along with the library - would act as a gateway to the 1,226-unit community.
Anne Farley, who heads the county's Department of Community Services, said the county was also considering the Children's Home on Green Street, which is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, but conceded a donated site would be preferential.
For 20-year-old Christine Young, a Harvey Run resident, news of a new facility was exciting.
"If this place can get larger and serve more people, it would be great," said Young, who's used the library for most of her life. "Everyone is hoping something happens soon."
By Jesse Chadderdon Community News
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