Invest in Our Community

Eleven independent Sussex County libraries must raise approximately $2.5 million each year to cover basic operations. The proposed adjustment to the Library Tax would cost the average property owner about $10 more annually and provide more stable support for these essential public institutions.

Many residents expect a public library to be a government-funded entity. However, eleven of the fourteen public libraries in Sussex County are only partially funded with government revenues, including a minimal library tax.

The discovery that eleven of our public libraries in Sussex County are heavily reliant on bake sales, book drives, and private appeals can come as a tremendous shock. But that is the case for the following libraries in our county: 

• Bridgeville Public Library

• Delmar Public Library

• Frankford Public Library

• Georgetown Public Library

• Laurel Public Library

• Lewes Public Library

• Milford Public Library

• Millsboro Public Library

• Rehoboth Beach Public Library

• Seaford Public Library

• Selbyville Public Library

Since these libraries were established, they have only received a portion of the funds they need to pay for library programs, salaries, utilities, insurance, building maintenance, and more from public funds. They must raise between 13% and 52% of their operating budgets each year, and this year they must raise more than $2.5 million to operate.   

Unlike the eleven independent libraries, the three libraries operated by Sussex County, located in Greenwood, Milton, and South Coastal (Bethany), do not face the annual challenge of securing funding for essential operating expenses. Public funding from Sussex County covers costs such as utilities, building insurance, employee salaries, and other day-to-day operating expenses, as well as any capital expenses for building repairs and all other major maintenance projects.

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We are advocating for a modest adjustment to the library tax.

This tax was last adjusted in 2008, over 18 years ago!  The current average library tax paid by property owners in Sussex County is less than $10.00 per year per property, or less than 5 cups of Wawa coffee each year.   We are recommending to Sussex County Council that the tax should be adjusted to an average of $20.00 per property per year.
 

This small adjustment will provide the security needed to offer consistent, high-quality services comparable to those in our service area.   It will not fully fund all these libraries' needs, but it will go a long way to allow them to move beyond a "shoestring budget" and build a resilient infrastructure that benefits everyone.

We need your support. We need an increase in the Library Tax. 

Join us in advocating for a strong, stable future for these eleven cornerstone community resources.  Stand with us to ensure our libraries remain vital lifelines for generations to come.