Elsmere Public Library
A neighborhood branch on Spruce Ave with story time with Ms Debbie, a free back lot, and a changing table on site.
30 Spruce Ave, Wilmington, DE 19805, USA, Elsmere, DE 19805
Hours
10 AM – 5 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Sat | 10 AM – 5 PM |
|---|---|
| Sun | Closed |
| Mon | 10 AM – 8 PM |
| Tue | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Fri | 10 AM – 5 PM |
Last checked 2026-09-14
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- All ages
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor
- Typical visit
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
A neighbourhood branch with a childrens section and story times; a dependable indoor stop when you need one.
The Quick Version
- • Free New Castle County branch on Spruce Ave, sharing a building with the City of Elsmere and the Elsmere Police Department.
- • Rhythm, Rhyme and Story Time with Ms Debbie is the weekly regular, plus Pajama Storytime, Saturday Story Time, and Saturday Crafternoon.
- • Closed Wednesdays and Sundays — the easiest way to waste a trip.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Admission
Free
What to Expect
Elsmere is a community branch, and its calendar is built around one reliable weekly anchor: Rhythm, Rhyme and Story Time with Ms Debbie. Pajama Storytime turns up occasionally, and weekends bring Saturday Story Time and Saturday Crafternoon and Story Time, with Creative Crafts and a homeschool history club (Time Trekkers Troupe) filling out the rest of the calendar. The library also runs 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.
It shares a building with the City of Elsmere and the Elsmere Police Department, and there's a free lot in back for library users. It's stroller-friendly with a changing table on site.
The one thing to get right is the day: it's closed Wednesdays and Sundays, and Tuesday and Thursday don't open until noon.
Who It's Best For
Story time with Ms Debbie and Pajama Storytime are the little-kid regulars; Saturday Crafternoon and Creative Crafts add craft sessions. Time Trekkers Troupe is a homeschool history club. The library also runs the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Posted ages vary by program — check the branch calendar.
Highlights
Story Time with Ms Debbie
Babies to preschoolRhythm, Rhyme and Story Time is the weekly regular here, with a pajama version on some evenings.
Saturday Crafternoon
Ages not postedA weekend craft-plus-story combination — the easiest option if weekdays don't work.
Free lot and a changing table
Parents of babiesParking in back is free for library users, and there's a changing table on site.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Wednesdays and Sundays — the library is closed.
- • Tuesday or Thursday mornings — it doesn't open until noon.
Logistics
Admission
Free admission
Free, like all Delaware public libraries. Check the calendar — some programs may 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 lot in the back of the building for library users.
Head around back — the lot is behind the building and it's free for library users.
Entrance
30 Spruce Ave, Wilmington.
Parent Logistics
Stroller-friendly.
Restrooms in the library.
Yes — changing table on site.
Indoors.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food on site — it's a library.
Snack strategy: Eat before or after — there's no food service in the library.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Closed Wednesday and Sunday; Tuesday and Thursday open at noon.
- ✓ Park in the free lot behind the building rather than hunting the street.
- ✓ Check the branch calendar — story times recur but some sessions may need sign-up.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Mon 10am-8pm, Tue 12pm-8pm, Wed closed, Thu 12pm-8pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun closed. Monday is the only weekday that opens at 10am and stays open until 8pm.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round but closed Wednesdays and Sundays. Tuesday and Thursday don't open until noon. The county has posted new library operating hours, so confirm before a special trip.
Rainy Day?
A free, close-in indoor stop for Wilmington-area families, with a story time most weeks.
Upcoming Events
Know when something good is on near Elsmere Public Library
Free, one email a week — the weekend's best picks for New Castle County families, tailored to your kids' ages.