History:

Sussex County’s first library was on wheels.  In 1942 the County purchased this second-hand bookmobile.  Seen here is the County’s first librarian, Dorothy E. Henry.  She traveled 31,804 miles by the end of 1946.  Dorothy Henry designed, planned and supervised the construction of the bookmobile seen above and in the next three pictures.  It was built on a 3/4 ton Dodge and was an “outside” bookmobile holding 1,200 books.

The first permanent location for a Sussex County Library was in the basement of the Hall of Records in Newton.  After a brief stay at this location, the library was moved to the basement of the Courthouse.  As the Library and the Courthouse both became too crowded, the Freeholders searched for an appropriate location, resulting in the building of the Headquarters in Frankford in 1957. This building has seen many additions and still serves as the Sussex County Library System Headquarters.

Both the Dorothy Henry and E. Louise Childs Branches were constructed and dedicated in 1981. The Dorothy Henry Branch is named in honor of the Miss Henry, who faithfully served as the County’s first librarian for 26 years. The E. Louise Childs Branch is named in memory of Edith Louise Childs, who served the County for 21 years as Clerk of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.