Delaware

Some libraries in Delaware County would benefit from merging resources, consultant says

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Some libraries in Delaware County would benefit from merging resources, consultant says

Shortly before Delaware County was set to celebrate National Libraries Week, a consultant told officials some libraries need to merge services if they want to survive.

Without naming the libraries but noting they are are in the southeastern portion of the county, Rob Cullen, managing principal of Rethinking Libraries, said three to 10 of the county’s 28 libraries, are in trouble.

“There was a pretty good cohort of libraries that I would say are well below average and in our estimation, are on an unsustainable trajectory,” he said after doing an analysis of each member of the Delaware County Library System. “Some are probably even today already at an almost unviable level.”

This week, Delaware County, and public libraries across the United States, are celebrating National Library Week.

The Darby Free Library was identified as needing improvements in a countywide evaluation of libraries. (PETE BANNAN – DAILY TIMES)

Among various activities, such as viewing the eclipse Monday, is Read at Rose Tree Wednesday night from 5:30 to 7. Residents are encouraged to bring a book and a lawn chair or blanket to read simultaneously as others read by the Rose Tree Park amphitheater.

Regarding the Rethinking Libraries analysis, the firm was hired by Delaware County Council last summer to do an evaluation of library services offered in the county.

The team visited all of the locations, meeting with staff and others, and had the libraries perform a self-assessment based on criteria they offered. They also compared each library location to state and county standards.

Some performed incredibly well.

Marple Library was noted for its community engagement. here is seen a children's program. (FILE PHOTO) — SUBMITTED PHOTO,
Marple Library was noted for its community engagement. Above, a children’s program. (DAILY TIMES)

“We got what we almost refer to as model libraries … they’re above average usage and funding,” Cullen said. “A few are actually best in class within the region, even some nationally in certain aspects of what they’re doing.”

He noted Marple with their community engagement and Middletown’s Maker Space program.

Cullen said the highest number of libraries per capita were in the southeastern part of the county with only Manhattan having more.

He recommended that the Delaware County Library Board lead a conversation with several of those in the region who are interested, particularly if they are on an unsustainable road.

“Is there a path to merging some of them?” Cullen asked. “Not in terms of trying to merge them into a single location but perhaps turning all of these single individual libraries into branches of a unified group of libraries.”

He does not recommend using force.

Jereem Ali walks into J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester. The library was identified in a county study as needing improvement. (FILE PIX) — Jereem Ali enters J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester. The library was identified in a county study as needing improvement. (DAILY TIMES)

“Nothing that would be forced on anyone but an option that would provide a more sustainable path and get better efficiencies for those communities and ultimately better services for those communities,” Cullen said, as he added, “Not all municipalities in this county would be interested.”

However, he said some, without naming them, are struggling and might not make it long-term if some solution isn’t found.

He said perhaps a merger of oversight and management with these individual libraries as branches so that the unique character of each community would be retained.

Cullen explained a problem shared by a few.

“Quite a few of these libraries, by state standard, have to be open 45 hours a week and they’re run by a director that’s part-time,” he said. “That, to us, is not a sustainable model.”

The Rethinking Libraries evaluation analyzed the libraries in a multitude of ways.

Looking at facilities, resources, staffing levels and open hours and community awareness and engagement, the J. Lewis Crozer Library and the Darby Library inadequate/needs improvement ratings in every category.

The Collingdale library received an inadequate/needs improvement rating in all but the facilities category. Folcroft also received three inadequate/needs improvements, except for its resources.

And, the Upper Darby Township libraries, the Glenolden library and the Prospect Park library received two inadequate/needs improvement ratings each.

Aston Township and the Rachel Kohl Library received a needs improvement rating for staffing levels and open hours. Sharon Hill and the Mary M. Campbell libraries received the same rating for their community awareness and engagement.

The entire report can be read at www.delcolibraries.org/News-Systemwide-Evaluation.

In his presentation, Cullen also noted the funding disparity.

“One of the things that kind of stood out to us is the funding level for libraries in Delaware County is low,” he said.

In Delco, libraries are funded with a mix of state, county and local funding at $26 per capita. The Pennsylvania average, Cullen said, is $30 per capita with the Greater Philadelphia average being $39. The national average, he added, is $41.

Plus, even within Delaware County, Cullen said some libraries are funded as high as $70 per person and others as low as $7.

County Councilwoman Christine Reuther said the shortfall to fill that gap would be between $2.3 million and $2.5 million.

“If that difference was to be made up by the county, that would be about a 1.5% tax increase to make that up,” she said, adding that’s not something being considered right now.

County Councilman Kevin Madden highlighted the importance of working together.

“Delaware County has more municipalities per square mile than any county in the United States,” he said. “It’s the most fragmented county in the United States. It’s not a bad thing or good thing, it’s just what it is.”

And while each one has its own unique identity, it creates challenges for these towns in having a smaller ability to gain revenue while having to provide services such as police, fire and libraries.

Madden said it would be advantageous to help some of these smaller municipalities to work together.

“What’s really coming out is we’ve got to find ways to cooperate,” he said.

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Delaware

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Published

12 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer.

Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea.

But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here’s everything you need to know.

Trump Account for kids explained

The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children.

That account will be seeded with federal government funds.

“A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account,” read the IRS’ Trump Accounts memo. “Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child.

“An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made.”

The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement.

When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware?

Trump Accounts for kids will go live on Monday, July 5, and parents in Delaware are allowed to apply for the nationwide offering when it opens.

Until then, you can visit the Trump Accounts website to add your name to the email list to get an update when the service goes live.

The IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury released Trump Accounts guidance you can read before opening an account.

Problems with Trump Accounts for kids

While opening a Trump Account for your child may seem a good thing, TIME uncovered a few problems with President Donald Trump’s namesake account service.

“The program may be open to every child, but its benefits will flow overwhelmingly to families with the means to contribute thousands of dollars a year. What could have been a leveling tool instead risks becoming a widening wedge between the haves and the have-nots,” read a portion of TIME’s take. “For a family living paycheck-to-paycheck that is unable to add anything beyond the government’s $1,000 seed deposit, the balance reaches just $5,839 by age 18. “

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies echoed much of that sentiment, and said Trump Accounts for kids will have the opposite effect from its stated goals.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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