Welcome to the Rehoboth Beach Public Library

The Rehoboth Beach Public Library provides an entry point into the world of books, music, movies, the internet, and many services and programs.

The Village Improvement Association provided a beginning in 1912, when its members decided Rehoboth residents needed an easily accessible, free public library. Initially, the library was housed in a VIA member’s living room. Under Delaware law, the Rehoboth library was established as a school district library, but in 1975, it became an independent library. It moved to its present location in 1985, and the building was expanded in 2000.

The service area population is 11,304, including residents of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, and adjacent areas of Sussex County. The Rehoboth Beach Public Library is not run by the City of Rehoboth Beach, Sussex County or the State of Delaware. It is one of 11 independent libraries in Sussex County and part of the statewide library system which also includes academic libraries, research libraries, and county-run community libraries.

The Rehoboth library operates with a volunteer board of trustees appointed by the resident judge of the Superior Court. Members serve for five-year terms and may be reappointed. The board is responsible for appointing the library director, approving the annual budget, and adopting library policies. Current members are Thomas Wontorek, president; John Rishko, vice president; Tucker Kokjohn, treasurer; Rose Marie Patin, secretary; Kay Wheatley, at-large; and Jay Becker, non-voting. Library Director Alison Miller oversees library operations with a staff of four full-time employees, five part-time employees, and several volunteers. 

The Rehoboth library has an annual operating budget of about $370,000. It receives roughly $58,000 or 16 percent of its budget from the State of Delaware. The allocation for the Rehoboth library has dropped slightly over the years as more libraries are established, since the total financial support from the state has remained fairly steady, but the share for each library is smaller. 

Rehoboth library also receives approximately $227,000, or 61 percent of its budget from Sussex County through the annual budget and a portion of funds from the transfer tax on mobile homes. Funding from the county has grown slightly over the years. The county is currently redefining how its allocation of funds is distributed according to the programs and services provided by each library and how many people use them.

The Friends of the Rehoboth Beach Public Library is the primary community-based library fundraising organization. Membership fees support the library, and the Friends raise funds through the annual Run For the Books 5K  and a late-summer cocktail party for members. The library receives approximately $35,000, or 10 percent of its budget annually through these efforts. Information about joining the Friends is available at www.rehobothlibrary.org/about-us/friends-of-the-library.html.

The City of Rehoboth Beach contributes approximately $15,000, or 4 percent of the budget for operating support. The city also provides in-kind services such as garbage collection and snow removal. 

The library also raises about $10,000 each year from fines and fees for programs, and approximately $5,000 from used book sales.

The library is an IRS 501c3 qualified nonprofit organization which can receive charitable bequests and donations from individuals or organizations. The public can help support the library by using its facilities, participating in its programs, joining the Friends, and making tax-deductible donations during the year.

For more information, go to www.rehobothlibrary.org.