Chartered in 1788, Delaware’s Wilmington Library started as a subscription library for educated, wealthy, White men. In today’s mostly Black Wilmington, it is a culture hub that brings inner-city and suburban residents together with cool live and virtual celebrity conversations, takes innovative reading strategies to the streets, and attracts new library and downtown investment.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
To reach young Black readers, the library leveraged the Barbershop Books Initiative—started in 2013 by Alvin Irby. These are essentially pop-up libraries in barbershops, where boys go often and feel at ease. As they wait for their haircuts, they can access materials and engage in reading in their neighborhoods. Combining books with getting a “fresh cut” is having an impact on kids as they lay down their phones and pick up a book. Likewise, barbers have become strong literacy and library advocates. This kind of street power can sustain library efforts for the long game. New partners, political clout, and financial resources amplify these effective library efforts.