New year and new look for the Wilmington Library

Nearly $12-million worth of renovations at the Wilmington Library has finally come to an end. Now, you can get a glimpse of some of the changes that includes everything from new space for community meetings, a job center, revitalized children’s area, and a much-expanded computer lab.

The Library will reopen its doors to the public on Tuesday.  Gov. Jack Markell, New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon, and Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams will cut a ribbon to officially reopen the library Monday night. The two-year renovation project kicked off after a consultant came into the library to help it cater to the community. It’s a long overdue project that revamped the interior without touching the façade.

“The main stream thinking is libraries need to be more relevant in the community. We decided that we were going to retool the library from what most people remember the library as, incorporating a lot of the community aspect,” said Larry Manuel, Exec. Director of the Wilmington Library.

Manuel is especially excited about the extra space designated for teens.

“We will have a teen room: a teen service area that’s dedicated to teens. Teens like to do their own thing these days, and we recognize that. There will be appropriate material in that teen room,” said Manuel.

The Wilmington Library is now on the National Register of Historic Places. In fact, that’s part of the reason why the library ruled out moving to a new location, deciding that a renovation would be best for everyone. The last renovation work at the library happened in 1969.

You can see a video essay on the newly renovated library on WHYY-TV’s, First.  It will air on Ch. 12 at 5:30, Monday.