Show All Answers

1. I don’t have a library card. How can I get one?

You can sign up online for a temporary library card.

2. How does contactless curbside pickup work?

All New Castle County Libraries are providing contactless curbside delivery of books, DVDs, and other media to library patrons. 

1. Contact your library to place a hold on an item.
2. You will receive a text or email notifying you that your hold is available for pickup. Call the library to schedule your pickup date. Pickup dates vary by library.
3. Drive to your library pickup location. Signs will mark designated waiting areas for pickup. (Patrons using the Claymont Library will use the building’s drive-through window). 
4. Once parked, contact the library and let them know your name, hold info, and your parking spot number.
5. Staff will retrieve your checked out items, and bring them to your car. Remain in your vehicle with the trunk open, and your mask on. Library staff will place your items in the trunk and move away.

To find out more visit the Curbside Pickup service page.

3. Can I print documents at the library?

Yes. New Castle County Public Libraries are pleased to offer a curbside printing service. Starting the first week in August, you can email documents you would like printed to the library (en español). Patrons are limited to 10 black and white pages per day. Once you have emailed your document, call the library and set up a time to pick your prints up using our curbside service. Go to the library location you picked to print, follow the curbside pickup signs, and give the library a call. Your prints will be brought to you without contact. Libraries are temporarily waiving printing fees. 

4. Are there library resources I can access online?

Yes. New Castle County Libraries provide a wide variety of digital services and resources:

• Libby/Overdrive - Borrow eBooks and Audiobooks
• hoopla - Stream videos, TV shows, and music or borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks. No wait times
• Flipster - Read magazines online
• Access research databases
• Transparent Language - Learn over 127 languages
• Learning Express – Test prep materials and courses to help build core skills such as writing, math, and public speaking.

5. Are you offering programs online?

Yes. New Castle County Libraries are streaming several programs using Facebook and Zoom. Visit our online calendar to see a complete list of all virtual programs being offered, both in New Castle County and throughout the state. We will continue to add to this calendar as new programs are confirmed.

6. Can I browse the library shelves?

No. Our buildings are currently closed to the public, but you can request a Book Bundle.   Call or visit the library branch’s website to fill out a quick form to let library staff what format, topic, genre and/or reading level you’re looking for. Library staff will pull together a selection of 5-10 books for you. The items in the Book Bundle will be checked out to your account and can be picked up with the library’s curbside service. 

7. Can I still access Wi-Fi?

Yes. In addition to Wi-Fi in the libraries’ parking lots, New Castle County, in partnership with Verizon, Assurance Media, and Cisco-Meraki, is providing Wi-Fi hotspots. Users should remain in their vehicles while using the Wi-Fi hotspots. For more information, and a complete list of hotspots visit: https://www.newcastlede.gov/2015/Public-WIFI 

8. Are you offering 3D printing?

Yes.  Our 3D printer is available for your requests! While libraries are closed, patrons can still send in their 3D print files to the Appoquinimink, Brandywine Hundred, Hockessin, Kirkwood, Newark, or Route 9 Library to be printed!

Fill out a quick form and email your .stl file. When the print is ready, the library will contact you and set up a time to pick up your object through the library’s curbside service. Contact your local library for additional information. 

9. What if my items are due? Will I accrue late fees?

The due dates for all checked-out circulating materials will be extended until after we reopen. No late fees should accrue on materials that were originally due during the closure period.

10. How do I find employment with the libraries?

Employment is handled through the New Castle County Human Resources Department. Postings are listed on their web site, and also at job posting locations within the libraries.

11. How do I renew an item?

Classic Catalog

PLEASE NOTE: Classic Catalog has been discontinued.  Please change your bookmarks to use the new catalog and follow the instructions below for renewals.

New Catalog To renew items currently checked out to you, first visit the Delaware Library Catalog and login to your library account with your library card number and PIN.

1. Go to your account by clicking on the My Account link in the upper right corner of the window
2. Once in My Account, click on the Checkouts tab. Here you will see a list of all the items checked out to you including the number of times renewed and their due dates
3. You can select specific items to renew by clicking on the box beside them. If you wish to renew all your items click on the Select All button
4. Click on the purple Renew button. A small window will open with a Yes or No button to confirm the renewal of Selected Items
5. The list of items checked out to you will refresh, displaying the new due dates