Delco council members recognize area library employees
Although the March 6 legislative breakfast held by Delaware County Libraries was attended by members of the Delaware County Council as well as state and local legislators, the spotlight shined the brightest on lower-profile individuals who have made a big difference for the area’s libraries.
One example is Marcy Adams, who posthumously received the “outstanding citizen” award for being “was on the forefront of developing the Marple Public Library for the community with steadfast leadership spanning decades.”
A revered book seller who was also on the Marple Public Library Board of Trustees, Adams was described as a “fierce supporter” of library staff, patrons and the Freedom to Read movement, which opposes book bans and other forms of censorship targeting libraries. Adams’ son, Corey, accepted the award in her memory.
William DeFeo III, manager of Aston Township, received the award for “extraordinary public official” for his work responding to fiscal concerns at the Aston Library. Guided by his experience as a library trustee, DeFeo helped identify “synergy” between the township and its library to make a positive impact.
Dr. Jean Kosha received the award for “exceptional library worker” for her work with the Teen Advisory Board at the Upper Darby Township and Sellers Memorial Free Public Library-Municipal Branch. Kosha, the library’s program coordinator, helped “create spaces and opportunities for younger patrons to advocate for themselves and each other, and to foster connections and goodwill within the library and the area where they live.”
The Library Foundation of Delaware County also received the “outstanding citizen award” for the group’s work to enhance the essential services provided by the county’s libraries through grantmaking and raising the profile of libraries.
In addition to the awards presented, Delaware County Council members Monica Taylor and Elaine Paul Schefer delivered remarks, as did Parag Dalal, president of the Middletown Free Library Board, and Helen Grommell-McGrane, president of the Delaware County Libraries’ Board.
The county library system also released its annual impact report, which noted that the county’s 26 libraries and two branches saw about 1.5 million visits in 2025, nearly 3 million in total circulation and program attendance of about 230,000.
