History and Mission
The Milford Public Library supports our community with a variety of innovative resources in a safe and inclusive environment. The library encourages lifelong learning and imagination to enrich our quality of life. We strive to inspire all ages to read, learn, explore, and discover.
History
The citizens of Milford, recognizing the need for a centralized library, came together on March 20, 1882, to form the Milford Library Association. Mr. R.H. Davis was elected as the Association’s first president. Membership, including borrowing privileges, was available through the purchase of stock in the Association. Funded by this revenue and a handful of private gifts, Milford’s first community library was born.
Over the next thirty years, however, rising costs and declining support put a strain on the Association. In October 1911, it was dissolved. Unwilling to lose their community library, Milford residents responded by opening their private collections to the public. Among the most notable was Mrs. Mollie Brown, who welcomed the town’s children into her home library on Northwest Front Street from 1912 until her relocation in 1921.
On May 31, 1926, Mrs. Brown donated her entire collection, secured additional volumes from family and friends, and presented the City with nearly 2,300 books as a parting gift. Her collection became the foundation of the Milford Public Library. With community support, a one-room library was soon established in the Milford Community Building, and in 1927, Miss M. Edith Simpson was appointed librarian. She would serve with distinction until her retirement in 1975.
By 1930, Milford’s population was growing rapidly. The library received $1,000 in state funding and passed a tax referendum, establishing a foundation for ongoing county support. Increased demand soon outpaced available space, prompting the Carlisle Fire Company to offer its second floor as a “communicating room.” For the next three decades, the library operated between the Community Building and the Fire Station.
On August 9, 1959, Library Board President Robert Shilling laid the cornerstone for a new, freestanding building at 214 South Walnut Street. Funded through broad community support and a significant bequest from Mr. Daniel Hirsch—whose endowment continues to benefit Milford today—the library was completed and dedicated on January 17, 1960. For the next 33 years, this building served as the center of community learning.
On May 5, 1992, Governor Mike Castle presided over the groundbreaking for a new library at 11 Southeast Front Street, with Library Board President Ed Kee—later Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture—leading the effort. Completed for $3.6 million, the new library opened on July 30, 1993, with a capacity for 37,000 books.
As Milford grew throughout the 1990s—fueled by Delaware’s reputation as a tax-friendly state with attractive coastal amenities—library use surged. On May 10, 2007, plans to double the facility’s size were unveiled. At that time, the library served about 20,000 annual visitors.
The expansion drew strong community support, supplemented by grants and state and county funding. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 15, 2008, with Library Board President Richard M. Johnson presiding. The newly expanded library opened its doors on November 8, 2010.
Since then, the Milford Public Library has continued to thrive, adapting to new opportunities and challenges. By the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the library welcomed nearly 139,000 visitors—a remarkable 595% increase in less than 20 years.
Looking ahead, a major renovation and reconfiguration project is scheduled to begin in early 2026. The work will address aging mechanical systems, inflexible spaces, and an outdated layout. Once complete, the facility will offer additional study rooms, enhanced security, expanded program areas, and flexible design features—ensuring a bright and vibrant future for the Milford Public Library.
