Wilmington Public Library
The downtown branch has a Children's Corner and a Teen Zone and runs story times and STEAM activities, but its public calendar is thin right now — check before you go.
10 E 10th St, Wilmington, DE 19801
Hours
9 AM – 5 PM
Show the week Hide the week
| Sat | 9 AM – 5 PM |
|---|---|
| Sun | Closed |
| Mon | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Tue | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Wed | 9 AM – 7 PM |
| Thu | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Fri | 9 AM – 5 PM |
Last checked 2026-09-14
- Cost
- Free
- Best for
- Babies through teens
- Indoor / outdoor
- Indoor
- Typical visit
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Downtown branch on Rodney Square, open six days a week and earlier than the county branches, with its own children's events calendar.
The Quick Version
- • The downtown branch runs children's programming including story times and STEAM activities, though only a couple of dated events — an Unearth a Story session with the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, and Play Streets at Rodney Square — are on the public feed right now.
- • Stroller-friendly with a changing table, and the site lists a Children's Corner and a Teen Zone.
- • Downtown parking is metered street or a garage, and the library does not validate.
Best Ages
Babies through teens
Plan For
45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Admission
Free
What to Expect
The downtown branch runs children's programming built around early literacy — story times and STEAM activities — but only two dated events show on the public feed right now: an Unearth a Story session with the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and Play Streets at Rodney Square. Call or check the calendar rather than assuming a weekly story time.
The library's own site lists a Children's Corner and a Teen Zone, plus Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for kids birth to five. It's stroller-friendly and has a changing table. Parking is the real friction: metered street spots on 10th and Market (free weekends and holidays) or a downtown garage, and the library does not validate. Thursday through Saturday it closes at 5pm, and Sunday it's closed.
Who It's Best For
Story times and early-literacy programming aim at the youngest kids, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sends free books to children birth to age 5. The site also lists a Teen Zone and Blue Hen Award reading lists for older kids.
Highlights
Children's Corner and Teen Zone
All agesThe library's site lists a Children's Corner and a Teen Zone; children's programming includes story times and STEAM activities aimed at early literacy. We haven't confirmed the layout.
Stroller-friendly with a changing table
Babies and toddlersTwo things you can count on here that most branches leave you guessing about.
Free books and passes
Birth to 5Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sends free books to kids birth to age 5, and free Longwood Gardens passes are available at the circulation desk.
Logistics
Admission
Free admission
Free, like all Delaware public libraries. 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
Metered street parking on 10th Street and Market Street, free on weekends and holidays; downtown garages and lots include the 10th Street Garage and the 8th Street Lot. The library does not validate parking.
Moderate — plan on feeding a meter or paying a garage on a weekday; street parking is free on weekends and holidays.
Entrance
10 E 10th St, Wilmington.
Parent Logistics
Stroller-friendly.
Restrooms in the library — not independently confirmed.
Yes — a changing table is available.
Indoors.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food service — it's a library, but downtown Wilmington has options within a few blocks.
Snack strategy: Eat before or after; downtown has plenty within a short walk.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Park on the street on a weekend or holiday — it's free then; on weekdays it's meters or a garage, and the library doesn't validate.
- ✓ Check the calendar before you drive in; the public event feed here is sparse compared with other branches.
- ✓ Closing time drops to 5pm Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday is closed.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Mon–Wed 9am–7pm, Thu–Sat 9am–5pm; closed Sunday. Weekday afternoons give you the longest runway before close.
Seasonal Notes
Mon–Wed 9:00am–7:00pm, Thu–Sat 9:00am–5:00pm, Sunday closed. The North Wilmington branch keeps different hours and is closed Fridays.
Rainy Day?
A free downtown indoor stop, easiest to justify on a weekend when the street parking is free.
Upcoming Events
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