About
Our History
Our Legacy – Continuous Service Since 1847
The Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library began with a bold vision — to create Delaware’s first free public library open to all. While subscription-based circulating libraries existed earlier in Wilmington and New Castle, their access was limited to paying members and men. In contrast, our institution welcomed women and children as well, placing it at the forefront of the American Public Library Movement.
In 1847, Dr. James Corbit, a respected local physician left a charitable gift to the Cantwells Ridge School District (now Odessa). His estate funded what became known as the Corbit Library. On May 20, 1848, the library officially opened in the Old Academy Building, adjacent to the schoolhouse. A fire in 1893 damaged the original building, forcing the library to relocate several times. Finally, in 1924 it settled into the Wilson Mansion, a Georgian brick home on Main Street. Over the following years, the library continued to expand—adding electric lighting in 1927 and a second parlor in 1937. As Odessa grew, so did the library’s role in the community — eventually outgrowing the Wilson Mansion by the 1960s.
A new chapter began thanks to Leslie Calloway, a generous Odessa resident who donated land and funds for a new library building. This gift led to the construction of our current brick colonial-style building on High Street. The new building opened on May 20, 1968 — 120 years to the day after the library’s founding — and was named the Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library, honoring both major benefactors. In 1986, a major expansion increased the building’s size to 6,100 square feet, allowing for more services, programming space, and growing collections. Today, the library houses nearly 55,000 items, including the distinctive Delaware Collection.
The Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library is an independent nonprofit, governed by a Board of Trustees and administered by the Library Director. We are a contractual library in the New Castle County Library System and receive a portion of our operating funds through an annually renewable grant. Additional support comes from the Division of Libraries in the form of an annual, non-competitive grant contingent upon meeting specific performance benchmarks. We rely on community donations, grants, and fundraising to help fund our programs, building maintenance, and book acquisitions.
Library Governance
2025 Board of Trustees
- President: Margaret Ryan
- Vice President: Scott Davis
- Secretary: Sital Soni
- Treasurer: Kristi Devlin
- Trustee-at-Large: Nicholas Mancuso
- Trustee-at-Large: Jennifer Seda
Trustees serve four-year terms and are elected by majority vote. Board officers are elected annually and may serve successive terms. Learn more about our board here.
📍 Visit Us
Whether you’re a local resident, researcher, or visitor, the Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library offers a warm welcome. We offer a full range of programming for children, teens, adults, and seniors — from story times and book clubs to computer workshops and genealogy research.
🔗 Contact Us
📅 Upcoming Events
🧱 Learn About Our Capital Campaign
