Perdue Farms awards $15,000 grant to public library in Delmar, Del.

The Arthur W. Perdue Foundations has awarded a $15,000 grant to support the renovation and expansion of the Delmar Public Library. Pictured from left are Delmar, Del., Mayor Michael Houlihan, Lorie Phillips, Perdue AgriBusiness and Delmar Library Board of Commission member, Kim Nechay, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Susan Upole, director of the Delmar Public Library, William Nichols, Library Commission vice president, and Ellis Hammond, Becker Morgan Group.
Perdue Farms, through a $15,000 grant funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, is supporting a capital campaign to renovate and expand the Delmar Public Library located in Delmar, Del. The library has served both Delaware and Maryland residents in this bi-state town since 1940.
"We're thrilled to have the support of Perdue and the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation," said Susan Upole, director of the Delmar Public Library. "It's because of community partners such as Perdue that enable us to move closer to realizing the much-needed expansion of a facility that has served this community for many years."
The State of Delaware has committed $1.3 million toward the estimated $3.3 million project. Earlier this year, the Delmar Library Board of Commissioners launched a capital campaign to raise the balance through private funding sources.
As Upole explains, the project scope will include renovating the existing building and construction of an additional 10,000 square feet, bringing the total library size to 14,500 square feet. "The construction project will not only increase available space for collections and programs, but will provide state-of-the-art technology required for a 21st century library and expanded meeting space for use by the community," said Upole.
The new facility, targeted for completion by April 2015, will meet federal Americans with Disability Act requirements, and feature enhanced displays for many of the memorabilia relating to the town's rich history and connection to the railroad.
"At Perdue, we're committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work," said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. "The Delmar Public Library has been an important of the Delmar community and we're proud to lend our support to the renovation and expansion through a three-year, $15,000 grant from the Foundation."