The Delaware Library Association and the Friends of Delaware Libraries are asking library advocates across the state to send an important message to their state legislators in March to "support the Delaware Libraries 2026 Legislative Agenda".

The Legislative Agenda is three simple asks that are powerfully aligned to improve literacy and reading in all our schools, ensure that local libraries receive adequate state aid for operations in FY2027, and continue to build and enhance the library facilities that make beautiful places for learning and community. Please take a moment to send a message to your state Representative and Senator to Support the 2026 Legisaltive Agenda. DLA and FODL representatives will be at the State House this week for in-person meetings, so having your emails arrive now goes a long way to showing broad-based public support.

The 2026 Delaware Libraries Legislative Agenda includes:

1. Fully fund the state aid formula for local libraries. Delaware in unique in that 85% of public library funding comes from the counties and 15% comes from the state. Unless the 'state library standards' funding is increased by $1.9 million to a total of $8,634,264.00, we may see as many as 10 libraries cut services, collections, or programs next year.
2. Commit to fund all eight library construction and upgrade projects in the Bond Bill. Delaware's libraries are built on a 50/50 split between local fundraising and state aid, and seven projects are ready to go. The most exciting new project is a proposal to plan and design a new state library for Delaware. Getting that project off the ground is an important priority.
3. We are focused on introducing a School Library Standards and Ratio bill to ensure that every student has access to a proper school library that supports the curriculum, literacy, and student achievement, along with a school librarian who will support their learning and independent reading goals. This would encourage every school library to join the Delaware Library Consortium, so each school could receive new support from the State Library, and would add a position to the Department of Education focused on making our school libraries among the best in the nation. 

Please send an email today using the form on this page to your Delaware state Representative and Senator. They need to hear clearly about your priorities as their constituent about funding public library services, collections, programs, and facilities, and your interest in seeing school librarians at schools across the state. Your voice matters this legislative session. Thank you for making this agenda a priority.