Delphos Public Library

Delphos Library has seen many changes over the century. Opened in 1912 to Delphos residents the original Carnegie library had 36 operational hours per week with a collection that totaled 1,915 and the circulation was 4,509. The library has seen 2 major renovations and additions in the past century.

The first was when a bond issue was passed in 1960 for the addition of 8,300 square feet to the library. This addition allowed the library to be open 60 hours per week with an expanded collection that totaled 28,447 items with a circulation of 68,501. The last addition occurred in 2005 with 3,683 square feet being added to the library. The Library is a member the SEO consortium to better serve the Delphos Community. The consortium is comprised of 98 library systems in 258 locations across the state. This consortium allows libraries to pool resources which, in turn, makes over 8.1 million items accessible to Delphos Residents.

The Library provides many services to the Delphos community. The following is a list of some of the services available:

 Adult Programming

 After School Programs

 Interlibrary Loans available

 Laminating

 Meeting room for small group meetings

 Memorials & Gifts (A good way to honor a loved one)

 Notary Public

 Storytime, Toddlertime, Family Nights

 Summer Reading Program for Children, Teens and Adults

Voter Registration for Allen & Van Wert County residents

 Available to check out are Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Cake Pans, Bike Locks, Boredom Buster Kits (puzzles and activities for families)

Fax Service

Internet Access

AWE computer for young children

Microfilm Reader/Printer for: Census & Delphos Herald

Tax Forms

Wireless Internet

Electronic resources: Kanopy (movie streaming service), Freegal (music streaming service),

Newspaper archives (database available for local papers as well as Ohio newspapers)

EBooks, downloadable audio and downloadable magazines

Our library continually strives to participate in the community in many different ways. We reach out to the Delphos community by being involved in activities such as the Breakfast with the Easter Bunny with the Community Health Professionals, Farmers Market Activities for Children, Community garden started with Allen County Health Department on the library’s grounds, visits to the Senior Citizens Center, delivery of materials to both nursing homes, activities at Canal Days, worked with Delphian Club on activities as well as Hometown Christmas with the Kiwanis. We also work with the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Garden Club. Our motto is the library is more than the four walls that surround the materials. If we have an opportunity to help the community we will do everything possible to see it become a reality. Some the events listed were cancelled due to COVID in 2020 but we hope to have the activities return in 2021 and 2022.

Our staff of 10 board volunteers believe that through being involved with others the community flourishes and in turn the library grows. Our vision over the past nine years has been to be outside the physical building and being a community partner with all that willing to make Delphos a better community for everyone. Everyone has been willing to give freely of their time to make the programs and activities successful. Our measurement of impact on the community is when we see more individuals using our services and also by the inquiries of other organizations contacting us wanting to be involved a new endeavor.

Through the pandemic the library has met the needs of the community through curbside delivery, electronic resources, telephone research for patrons, been an outlet for the State of Ohio to get free at home COVID test kits to the community. The library has made every attempt to meet the needs of the community through any means possible whether it is in person, curbside, telephone, or via social media. The library is for everyone in the community from newborns to the elderly. The library serves the community and is willing to be a catalyst for Delphos. As a Chamber member, the library is able to connect with the community in a variety of ways as well as use member benefits to help the library run effectively and efficiently.

Thank you to the Delphos Public Library for your service to the Delphos community and your continued support of the Delphos Chamber.