BRIEF HISTORY OF MILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
MILTON, DELAWARE
1875 – 2020
This updated version of the history was originally prepared by Jeanne M. Sposato, former library staff member and later by former Library Director Mary Catherine Hopkins.
The Milton Library Association was organized in January 1875 and incorporated in March 1883. The first library consisted of one bookcase of 200 volumes in Welch’s Store. In 1913, the library was moved to the Junior Order of American Mechanics (J.O.A.M.) building on Front Street where it operated under the sponsorship of the Milton New Century Club. For a time, it was housed on the second floor of the Palmer Building on Federal Street. In 1920, the library was moved to the Odd Fellows Building on the corner of Atlantic and Chestnut Streets. During this time, the Milton Lions Club, the town and the State of Delaware supported the library. It continued to operate at this location under the leadership of Joe Jefferson, Head Librarian and followed by Polly Stuchlik until moving to the current location on Union Street.
In desperate need of additional space, efforts to obtain a new facility were initiated in the 1970s. With the assistance of Federal funds, the Conwell Building on Union Street was purchased by Sussex County on September 15, 1978. Built by William W. Conwell, the structure had housed a variety of businesses since its construction in 1912-13. Following extensive renovation, the library was opened with dedication on July 22, 1980, under Sussex County management with Ruth Marvel as Director.
On October 20, 1987, the Governors Room on the second floor, named in honor of the five governors from Milton (State of Delaware – 4, State of Wyoming – 1), was dedicated and more space, apart from the library proper, was available for meetings, programs, and other activities. Ruth Marvel, after nine years of service, retired on July 31, 1989, and Mary Catherine Hopkins became Director on August 1, 1989.
The dedication of the second upstairs room was held on September 15, 1990, with then Senator Joseph R. Biden as guest speaker. The Conwell Room, as it was named, occupies the space that at one time was the office area of the late William W. Conwell, who built the imposing structure.
As 1991 rolled around, the library again underwent renovations and presented to the public its newly painted and newly carpeted first floor complete with a Toddler Room addition.
Disaster struck during 1993. On Monday, May 17, 1993, the library building was closed due to damage from the Union Street bridge replacement. During the remainder of the bridge replacement, and until the library building was repaired, library services were provided in the Milton Civic Center building next door. The Milton Public Library had a reopening celebration on Friday, September 16, 1994.
Responding to a growing demand for services, adjoining property was purchased in 1998 and plans to construct a major addition were begun. Funding for the project was provided by Sussex County, the State of Delaware, and fundraising through the Friends of the Milton Public Library under the leadership of Mrs. Nancy Rhue, President. Groundbreaking for this addition was held on Friday, March 21, 2003. The first floor of the expanded facility, which included an elevator to the second floor and a larger library proper were opened to the public with a dedication on Saturday, December 11, 2004.
After this, the original building was extensively renovated to house staff offices, children’s areas, and the Friends of the Milton Public Library office and gift shop.
Plans were begun in early 2006 for completion of the second floor of the addition. A reception and tours were held on Saturday, October 31, 2009, to celebrate the completion. It was at this time that the public was able to get a glimpse of the two tutor/study/small meeting rooms; the big meeting room which could be divided into two rooms by an expandable lock-in-place room divider, bathrooms, storage, and kitchenette. All meeting rooms were equipped with up-to-date technology (in-ceiling projectors, screens and a microphone system). The completion of the second-floor addition expanded the library’s capacity to have more space available for library programming, as well as for non-profit organizations and governmental agencies use for meetings, trainings, and workshops.
During 2018, Sussex County awarded a project to JJID, Inc. to provide emergency repairs to the library riverside which included replacing an 80-foot-long bulkhead and additional repairs found on-site later which were compromises to the library’s foundation. This complex and time sensitive project was started in July 2018 and completed in August 2018. The library remained open and fully functional with regular hours.
On Thursday, March 19, 2020, the library was closed until further notice to minimize the risk of viral contamination among patrons and staff as Delaware responded to the mounting COVID-19 outbreak occurring in the state and across the nation. Staff were able to work from home to provide virtual educational, informational and recreational programs for the public over the library website and multiple social media channels. Beginning Monday, June 15, 2020 the library opened the front lobby for Books-to-Go where patrons could access library materials by placing items on hold and picking them up by appointment only.
The Milton Public Library has come a long way since 1875. At that time, there were only 200 books available, and its only function was to lend books.
Over the decades, the library increased their materials: books, videos, music, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers. More became available through the statewide Delaware Library Catalog via a delivery system. The Delaware Library Consortium, now codified in the Delaware Code also provides databases to include newspapers and magazines; and new platforms such as Overdrive, Flipster and Hoopla provided access to electronic books and more through efforts spearheaded by the Delaware Division of Libraries. Most current technology additions acquired have been a 3-D printer and Oculus goggles which gives a virtual reality experience. Wi-Fi was made available inside and outside the library building for patrons’ convenience and access.