Friends of the Newark Free Library

State and county officials gave tributes to Managing Director Pat Birchenall at a farewell reception hosted by the Friends of the Newark Free Library. Two proclamations, one from the State Senate and one from the State House of Representatives, were read, acknowledging Pat’s accomplishments. Her leadership and composure during the pandemic role as well as her role in coordinating the NCC Reads program were particularly commended.

Pat is pictured here, with, from left to right: Diana Brown, Manager of Libraries; Marcus Henry, NCC Community Services General Manager; Lisa Diller, County Councilwoman, District 5; Pat Birchenall; David P. Sokola, State Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore; and Matt Meyer, County Executive.

Friends President Judy Taggart who presented a plaque that will be hung in the library commented, “The library is a warm, friendly place truly because of you.”

Sherri McCarthy will serve as Interim Manager while the search for the next Managing Director proceeds.

The Delaware Library Association awarded Matt Meyer its top honor in recognition of his strong support of Delaware libraries. Said Annie Norman, Delaware State Librarian. “County Executive Meyer is an effective collaborator and appreciates libraries’ leadership role in the social infrastructure for the benefit of Delawareans.”

The press announcement stated: “The Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey (ACS) estimated, almost 10% of households in Delaware did not have any internet service. Recognizing the pandemic made the digital divide in the community more acute, the County Executive’s office worked with libraries to increase access. In addition to creating new hotspot locations, the county collaborated with the Delaware Division of Libraries to extend WiFi access to the libraries’ parking lots and purchased 100 Chromebooks to distribute to patrons. These actions helped provide digital access to the hardest to reach communities.”

Learn more about County Executive Meyer’s support of the libraries here: https://nccde.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1996