Libraries are still filled with books, but they’ve also become places Swarthmore for the community to gather.

Now, Delaware County libraries are getting together to build communities, writes Sara Grochowski for publishersweekly.com.

The Swarthmore Public Library and the Helen Kate Furness Free Library in Wallingford are five-year partners in a family friendly 5k race.

It starts at Furness and ends at Swarthmore, where after-race events happen.

The fundraiser’s impact as a community builder is a big benefit, says  Swarthmore library director Amber Osborne,

Volunteers, sponsors and race participation have all flourished.

During the pandemic, the race went virtual, accessing an even greater audience.

“We were surprised to find that even patrons who had moved away were excited to discover that they could still participate through the virtual version,” Osborne said.

This month, Swarthmore Public Library is teaming up with, Middleton Free Library and Rachel Kohl Community Library, for Pride Month programming.

The libraries will host a series of virtual events, including an author chat, a virtual LGBTQ panel, a trivia event and story time.

“With the abundance of virtual programming we’ve been doing, it made sense to collaborate to reach a wider audience and share the costs,” says Osborne.

Read more at publshersweekly.com about library collaborations.