Bear Library
A 25,000-square-foot branch with four named story times across the week, a Stay & Play that runs several times a week, and free 3D printing for library patrons.
101 Governors Pl, Bear, DE 19701
Hours
Hours not posted
Last checked 2026-09-13
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- All ages
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor
- Typical visit
- 1–2 hours
Large branch with a children's desk, a play-together Stay & Play session and baby story times; tickets handed out at the desk.
The Quick Version
- • Story time runs most days under different names — Book Babies, Jitterbugs, Little Artists, and a Thursday Morning Story Time — plus a Stay & Play that's on the calendar several times a week.
- • Older kids get Chess Club, Trading Card Club, Switch games, a teen tabletop gaming club, and Paws for People reading dogs.
- • Free, like every Delaware library. Closed Fridays year-round, and closed Sundays through September 6.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
1–2 hours
Admission
Free
What to Expect
Bear Library opened in 1998, reopened in 2013 after a multimillion-dollar renovation, and at 25,000 square feet holds more than 135,000 items. It runs busy, and the kids' calendar shows it: Stay & Play appears on the schedule several times a week, with Book Babies, Jitterbugs Story Time, Little Artists Story Time, and a Thursday Morning Story Time spread through the week, plus Paws for People reading dogs. Older kids get Chess Club, Trading Card Club, Switch games, a creative coloring club, and a teen tabletop gaming club. The library will also 3D print models for library patrons free, with rules attached. It's free like every Delaware library; some programs need sign-up. Note it's closed Fridays.
Who It's Best For
Book Babies and Jitterbugs cover the youngest; Little Artists and the Thursday morning session suit toddlers and preschoolers; school-age kids and teens have chess, trading cards, Switch games, and a tabletop club.
Highlights
Story time most days of the week
Babies to preschoolFour named story times across the week plus Stay & Play, so most days there's something for a small kid.
Clubs for the older ones
Ages 7+Chess, trading cards, Switch games, and a teen tabletop group — reasons to come back that aren't story time.
Free 3D printing
Ages 8+The library will 3D print models for library patrons at no charge; there are rules, so ask first.
Logistics
Admission
Free admission
Free, like all Delaware public libraries. Some programs need sign-up.
Membership tip: A free Delaware library card also lets you reserve free passes to Delaware State Parks and the Brandywine Zoo through the libraries' Museum Pass program (one pass per card at a time).
Getting There
Parking
Free dedicated lot behind the building, in an out-lot of a major shopping center.
Drive around back — the lot is behind the building, not out front.
Entrance
101 Governors Pl, Bear.
Parent Logistics
Stroller-friendly.
Restrooms in the library.
Changing table available.
Indoors.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food — it's a library, though it sits in an out-lot of a shopping center.
Snack strategy: Eat before or after; nothing goes in with you.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Closed Fridays every week, and Sundays too until September 6 — worth checking before the drive.
- ✓ Parking is the lot behind the building; the shopping-center out-lot location can be confusing the first time.
- ✓ Mon–Wed the doors stay open until 9pm, so an evening visit is on the table.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Summer hours (June 29 – September 6) are Mon–Wed 10am–9pm, Thu 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm, closed Friday and Sunday. The rest of the year adds Sunday 1pm–5pm and stays closed Fridays. Check the calendar for program times.
Seasonal Notes
Summer hours (June 29 – September 6): Mon–Wed 10am–9pm, Thu 10am–5pm, Fri and Sun closed, Sat 10am–5pm. Rest of year: Mon–Wed 10am–9pm, Thu 10am–5pm, Fri closed, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm.
Rainy Day?
A free, busy indoor stop with something on the calendar most days.
Upcoming Events
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