Build a Free Public Library in your community with practical guidance and real‑world steps.
This handbook from the Delaware State Library Commission explains how libraries can be established, organized, and financed, with an emphasis on Free Public Libraries and the state law that governs them.
Designed for local leaders, librarians, and school boards, it shows how to mobilize public support, understand the Library Law of 1903, and work with districts to create lasting library services. It also covers governance, volunteer effort, and the concrete processes that make library projects possible.
- How to start a library movement and gain public support through petitions, press, and community groups.
- Practical procedures for setting up a district library, appointing a commission, and handling finances and taxation.
- Charging systems, reader registration, fines, and cataloging practices to keep libraries efficient.
- Guidance on purchasing, staffing, and using school resources to establish a library and reading room.
Ideal for readers involved in local government, education, and community organizing who want a clear path to free library access for all residents.