Library Background

An Expanded History, 1878-1998  

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FREE READING ROOM AND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
1878-1940

On the evening of February 8, 1878, a group of Monroe Township's citizens met at Town Hall to "consider the project of forming a Free Reading Room and Library Association." The idea received a favorable response and so the colorful and unpredictable history of what is now called the Free Public Library of Monroe Township began.

At that first meeting committees were formed to solicit annual subscriptions for the maintenance of the library, to select a site and formulate a building plan, and to write a constitution and by-laws for the organization. The library was controlled by its officers and nine managers.

Bodine Thomas generously offered the use of property on the corner of what is now known as Main and Library Streets as a site for the library and agreed to provide a ten year lease for the sum of $1.00. The subscription committee slowly gained members for the library, and others donated lumber, shingles, siding, labor, and materials for the construction of a building. It is notable, however, that there were no large contributions, most ranging in value from $1 to $20. A door-to-door campaign was organized to solicit members. It was also agreed to conduct a program consisting of several ten minute speeches to educate the community as to the importance of the movement to form a library and thereby to generate financial support. A special note was made to invite the "ladies of the town" to this meeting.

The membership voted to incorporate in May, 1878, under the provisions of "An Act to Incorporate Societies, Chapter CXL Laws of New Jersey." A seal was also designed consisting of a wooden disc 1 1/2 inches in diameter upon which was printed "The Free Reading Room and Library Association of Williamstown, N.J." and a set of rules and regulations were adopted. These were as follows:

All persons shall be entitled to the use of the Reading Room and Library subject to the following rules and regulations.

I. The Reading Room shall be open every week day from 4 p.m. to 9:30 from April 1st to October 1st and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. during [the] rest of the year.

II. No paper, periodical or pamphlet belonging to the Reading Room shall be taken from the Room.

III. Books may be borrowed from the Library upon payment of 5 cents per volume for two weeks. Books must not be kept out longer than two weeks without renewal.

IV. Tearing or in any way mutilating any paper, periodical, book, etc. of the Reading Room or Library is forbidden. Anyone violating this rule will be required to make good the loss sustained.

V. Any noise or conversation which would disturb persons while reading is forbidden.

VI. Smoking in the room, spitting on the floor or in any way defacing the rooms or furniture is forbidden.

VII. The superintendent in charge of the room will be responsible for the enforcement of these rules.

Subsequently an eighth rule was added which read "no children under 8 years of age [will] be admitted to the room unless accompanied by a parent."

The Board fixed the sum of $75.00 per annum as the salary for the Superintendent. His duties besides enforcing the rules and regulations included opening and closing the Room, keeping it in order for the reception of visitors, keeping up the fire when necessary, and taking charge of the Room and its property. Mr. John Marsh, Jr. was appointed to this post in August. Construction of the two room library was completed at a cost of $766.11 and it opened officially Monday evening July 29, 1878, with an elaborate dedication ceremony.

The Association decided shortly thereafter that as an "experiment" the Reading Room would be opened at 9:30 a.m. and closed at 1 p.m. For the purpose of interesting the ladies, the Room would be opened for their exclusive use on Wednesday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The plan to open between 9:30 and 1 p.m. was later abandoned, but the association agreed that any person could obtain the key and use the room at any time provided he would be responsible for it.

The first annual meeting held in March of 1879 reviewed the library's first seven months in operation. Although it had only 89 paid members, 6,945 people had visited the library. Daily copies of the New York Herald, New York Tribune, Philadelphia Times, North American, and Evening Telegraph had been furnished as well as various issues of other newspapers which were donated by friends. Periodicals included Scientific American, Harper's Weekly, Progress, Waverly Magazine, London Graphic and St. Nicholas. Books totaled 133 volumes, 31 of which were on loan to the library and could be recalled at any time. Of primary importance, however, was the fact that the Association was solvent and boasted a grand total of $71.91 in its treasury.

Funding to maintain and operate the library had been and would remain a constant problem. In addition to the annual membership drives, the association conducted a series of events such as lectures, entertainments, Jubilee concerts, readings, excursions to Lakeside Park and Atlantic City, debates, a pie sale and backyard social to provide further financial support. Perhaps the single most successful event was a Tom Thumb Wedding held in 1923, which generated $98.00 for the Reading Room.

There is a seven year gap in the minutes between October 7, 1879, and October 15, 1886. It is not known whether the library was in operation during this time or whether the minutes have merely been lost. A combination of the two is most likely. Reference is made in the minutes to the fact that the secretary had been excused from recording the old minutes in the ledger indicating that further minutes had been recorded. However, the group also faced a deficit in the treasury which would substantiate the theory that the library closed temporarily due to lack of funds. It is interesting to note that in 1886 women, for the first time, occupied positions on the Library Board.

The hours for library service were sharply curtailed and covered Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.

Repairs became a major concern as did the purchase of new books. Both required the major portion of available funds. In 1889, when the library again had a deficit, this time totaling more than $100, it was decided to sell twenty shares of stock in the Reading Room at $5.00 per share to cover the debt. Those who purchased shares could borrow books for three cents while all others would be charged five cents. Unfortunately, the debt continued despite valiant efforts to increase funds. As a result the library closed from November 16, 1889, until March, 1890. At that time, the King's Daughters volunteered to take charge of the reading room on a trial basis, assuming all current expenses, including janitor, lights, fuel, reading matter, etc.

Again the library apparently closed for several years and was reopened in 1903. At that time a committee from the Board attempted to negotiate a new lease and reported back to the Board that "many difficulties in the procuring of a lease had arisen and begged to offer as substitute a statement, properly signed, that the site and building of the Reading Room should not be used for any other purposes." The Board accepted this statement in lieu of a lease.

A policy was also established to sell old magazines--those that were three dollars or more a year for $.25 and those that were less for $.10. Any that were left would be sent to the Life Line League. Later old magazines were simply given to the patrons. A barrel of books was also sent to the Y.M.C.A. of the Navy.

The Library closed again in 1911, undoubtedly because of lack of funds. It was not reopened until 1916 at which time reorganization was begun. Mrs. Askew of the State Library Commission aided in this endeavor. Judging from the minutes of this period, it would seem that the Association was starting from scratch. The group called itself the Public Library Association. A new constitution and by-laws were written. New rules and regulations were established as follows:

I. Anyone may take books from the Library

II. Each person is entitled to one book

III. Any person unknown to the librarian must be endorsed by residents of the town

IV. Books may be kept out two weeks

V. Persons keeping a book over two weeks must pay a fine of two cents for every day overtime

VI. When special books are secured for anyone, the person must pay return postage

VII. Strangers in town may have a book by depositing the sum of $1.00 (later reduced to 50¢) money to be refunded when the book is returned, subject to the above regulations.

The library bolstered its collection through the "traveling libraries" from the State Library in Trenton. It was open two evenings a week. Later, an afternoon was added to the schedule. "To save fuel, the afternoon was to be on the same day as one of the open evenings."

It would appear that a librarian was also employed,but in April of 1921 he or she was given two weeks notice that the position was being discontinued for a period of at least six months in order to get enough money for needed repairs. In the meantime volunteers would keep the library open. In October, 1916, following successful completion of repairs, Miss Olive Camp was appointed librarian at a salary of $7.00 per month, a position she occupied until her resignation in 1926. She was replaced by Stella Sykes.

In August 1922, the Board expressed concern over the future of the library because the property on which it stood had been sold. However, the association was allowed to remain under the conditions previously established in 1903.

Boundaries were established which restricted free use of the library. These were as follows: "on Main Street from the Baptist Church to the James M. Tweed property, on the Sicklerville Road to Harry Simmermon's property, on the Brooklyn Road as far as the railroad, on the Clayton Road to Hoffman's Corner. All people beyond these limits, and not regular contributors, must pay fifty cents per year."

The January, 1928 meeting notes end with the statement that "the meeting was adjourned until further notice from the president." No minutes are available from this time until 1946. It is probable that the library remained open despite severe financial problems. Reference has been made to the fact that Mrs. Garwood and Mrs. Halsey supported the Library for a number of years until the librarian became unable to continue. The Library was then temporarily but never officially closed.

WILLIAMSTOWN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
1946--1969

Following World War II, the Rotary Club appointed a committee to determine interest in and the feasibility of establishing an active library association. Their first public meeting was held on October 11, 1946. It was decided at that meeting to call the organization the Monroe Township Library Association. The choice of a site for the new library was also discussed. Rev. Bradway suggested a room in the Social Hall of the Methodist Church as a possible temporary location and noted that the old burial ground across from the church might provide a "pleasing" permanent site. The Township Committee informed the group that the old building at Main and Library Streets was still available to be used as a library. If it were not to be used for that purpose it would be sold for taxes in December.

Because the building "located on the highest point in Southern New Jersey" had great historic and sentimental value for the many townspeople who had used and supported the Library, a committee agreed to inspect it for necessary repairs. It found conditions to be deplorable and decided to erect a new structure in honor of the Township's war dead. Accordingly, the name of the association was changed to the Williamstown Memorial Library.

It was learned at a later meeting, however, that if the old building were sold at a tax sale, only the amount of the taxes due could be retained by the Township, the balance going into an escrow account. The amount to be received by the Association, therefore, would be insufficient to construct a new Library. It was unanimously decided then to concentrate on refurbishing the old library.

Although the Township Committee agreed to postpone the tax sale indefinitely, they could not donate the building to the group as had been requested because the Township did not own the property. The lot on which the building stood belonged to an heir of the Esibill Estate represented by Mr. Oliver, an attorney from Millville, New Jersey. Mr. Oliver agreed to lease the property to the library if he could be assured that the estate held title to it. Until the problem was resolved, the library decided to open its temporary quarters in the council room of Municipal Hall. This took place on October 17, 1947.

At a special meeting held in 1948, Mr. John B. Wick, council for the library group, presented an outline of the case to that date. A title search had been conducted which indicated that the property at Main and Library Streets had been granted a lease, only for use as a library. If it were no longer used for that purpose, it would revert to the grantors. The primary question to be answered then was whether there had been an abandonment of the building. It was decided that the building had indeed been "temporarily" abandoned in approximately 1940, but only by reason of the condition of the building, the lack of funds to keep it in proper repair, and the advent of World War II. There had always been a feeling by the Association that, as soon as able, they would go back to the building and repair it for proper use.

Mrs. Nixon, executrix of the Esibill Estate, granted the Association the right to use the building in April, 1948. The deed could not be given until final settlement of the estate--at least two years away. It was determined, upon legal advice, to move into the building as soon as possible. The deed to the property was finally received by the Association in July, 1952.

As with its predecessor, the library was established on a subscription basis--the membership fee being $1.00. Local organizations were enlisted to aid in the annual membership drives. The library was run entirely by a volunteer staff until 1950 when Mrs. Sophie Joyce was officially appointed to serve as librarian.

Funding was again a problem and projects were organized to raise money needed for new shelving and books. The State Library in Trenton, although unable to provide financial aid, agreed to supply and exchange books-500 at once and perhaps 1,000 at a later date. This was a god-send for the juvenile collection as it had been reported at one meeting of the Board of Trustees that several children had already read through the entire collection.

Shortly after moving into the old library building, the Association sponsored an essay contest, in honor of National Book Week. The essays were titled "What the Library Means to Me" and among the winners, receiving Honorable Mention, was Ronald Lanzalotti. Many repairs were made to the building during the years. In addition to the exterior and interior painting, the Rotary Club financed a new roof, and the wood burning stove was replaced first by a gas heater and later on by an oil heater. Complete rewiring and the installation of fluorescent lighting was accomplished, a railing was placed on the steps, shutters were put on the windows, and a new floor was laid. Funding for repairs and operating expenses was difficult, and in 1953 it was decided to include the library in the Township's budget. Not until 1966 did the library receive any State Aid.

Miss Olive Camp was appointed Librarian, subsequent to July, 1955, although the minutes of the Association do not indicate precisely when this was done. Miss Camp generously donated her small salary back to the Library. As noted in the minutes of October 21, 1957--"in this way, the Library will have a salaried librarian for the records. Our population being about 6,000 at present may be at its peak. Until the population reaches 10,000, we will not be required to hire a qualified librarian holding a degree." In 1967, the hours of the library were increased to include Friday afternoons from 3 to 5 o'clock and Miss Camp gained the help of a paid assistant in Mrs. Helen Kostic.

In 1968 a Municipal Library Commission was established to study the feasibility of establishing a municipal library in the Township. Plans were underway to build a community center financed from funds through Green Acres' purchase of land left to the Township by Dr. Damon Pfeiffer for recreational purposes. The Commission suggested that it might be possible to attach a library wing to the proposed building having private entrances but maintained by the physical facilities of the building proper.

It was unanimously decided by the Association that in the event that the Township received public approval for the construction and operation of a Public Library through a referendum, the Williamstown Memorial Library would turn over all of its assets to be used for that Library.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF MONROE TOWNSHIP

Later newspaper accounts indicate that a public referendum was held in 1969 to change the status of the library from an association library to a municipal library. It would seem that the library was closed for a time as the Township did not assume control of the building until 1971 and the library did not reopen until June 7 of that year. Under the direction of Mrs. Catherine Rush, a professional librarian, the building served the public from 9-5 o'clock on Mondays through Thursdays and from 1-9 o'clock on Fridays and offered approximately 75 periodicals and 6,000 books. For the first time it also offered a card catalog. The amount of work accomplished by Mrs. Rush and her small staff consisting of a part-time E.E.A. employee, Mrs. Carolyn Rein, later replaced by Mrs. Patricia Stringer, and Mrs. Lucille Fritsch (a part-time clerk-stenographer) was remarkable in that all of the technical processing, patron services, and the storage of five years of back issues of all periodicals as required by the State, was done in a facility measuring some 20' x 30'!

It would appear that the Library Commission anticipated the space problem and was searching for the means to acquire a larger facility as is evidenced by budget planning as early as 1969. Amidst much controversy, Town Council met on March 1, 1972, to consider an ordinance which would provide $300,000 for the construction of a new library through the sale of bonds or notes. In November, the question was defeated.

In light of all this, it is interesting to note that in 1971 the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Gloucester County commissioned Edwin P. Beckerman to assess public library services in the County at that time and to make recommendations for its future. The study, published in 1971, was funded by the Federal Government through the Library Services and Construction Act.

Throughout all of this and despite it, the library continued to grow, increasing the number of registered patrons, adding to the book collection, particularly in the reference and juvenile areas, and expanding their hours from 1-9 on Fridays and adding from 10-1 on Saturdays. A copy machine was also added for use of patrons at 10¢ a copy. Family commitments caused the resignation of Mrs. Kush who moved to South Carolina. In November, 1972, she was replaced as director of the library by Mrs. Mary Cropper, who continued to increase the library's services. She was responsible for several new programs, among which were the preparation of book lists, a film and lecture series, summer reading clubs, the securing of talking and Braille books from the State Library in Trenton for visually handicapped patrons, and the compilation of a directory of local organizations, government officials, public agencies and schools. Mrs. Cropper also engaged in a massive public relations campaign to inform the residents of the Township about the library and the services it had to offer. This program, which she felt was her most important undertaking, had considerable success as circulation for the year December, 1971, to December, 1972, rose to 9,767 and patron attendance increased rapidly. She resigned in September, 1973, to assume her new duties as Director of the Instructional Media Center at the Whitehall School.

It was three months before the Board announced their selection of Ms. Nana E. Bogis as the new library director, a post she had previously occupied in Mount Holly, N.J. In the interim the library was kept open and operating by Mrs. Fritsch and Mrs. Judith Holmes, who had replaced Mrs. Stringer.

Negotiations had begun in 1973 between the Library Board and Mr. Harry Altman to purchase the latter's 5 & 10 cent store upon his retirement. Located just two blocks away, at the corner of Main and Hall Streets, between Town Hall and the First National Bank of South Jersey, the building was almost ideal for the library's purposes-- centrally located, needing minimal renovations, and providing 5,400 square feet of space on the first floor with a full basement available for future expansion. On November 15, 1973, Town Council passed an ordinance to enter into an agreement of sale.

The two block move finally occurred on October 10, 1974. For the next three weeks the library was closed to the public as the staff and contractors worked side by side to put everything in readiness and to undertake a complete inventory of the Library's holdings. Volunteers were an invaluable asset in achieving this goal.

The dedication was set for Saturday, November 2, 1974, with the grand opening scheduled for the following Monday. Gifts and donations were received from many of the Township's clubs, organizations, and businesses. Congressman John Hunt was present at the ceremonies to deliver the main address at the Pfeiffer Community Center. The day was a huge success with more than 400 people attending.

By its first birthday, the Library flourished and grew. Working with a budget of over $60,000 (appropriations from Council and from State Aid), the staff was increased to 11, three of whom were full-time professional librarians. Registered patrons passed the 5,000 mark-- an increase of 67% for the year. The book collection increased by over 4,000 books and circulation jumped from 15,172 for the year November 1973/0ctober 1974, to 51,630 for the year November 1974/0ctober 1975. To accommodate increased patronage the Library also changed its hours to include more evenings.

Pre-school story hours continued and throughout the first year the Library developed new programs which brought people into the Library: reading groups for young adults, musical coffee houses for teens, special lecture and discussion groups, film showings, presentations and celebrations of historic events, tours of the Library for groups of all ages, from pre-schoolers to senior citizens, a poster contest to celebrate National Children's Book Week, a "Name the Stars" contest to introduce the Library's developing special collection on the cinema, the publication of a monthly newsletter, "Library Lines," and exhibits. And with the aid of the Catholic Daughters of Williamstown, the Library started a program in which library books, upon request, would be delivered to shut-ins or senior citizens. After almost a year in its organizational stages, a Friends of the Library group was incorporated as a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist the Free Public Library of Monroe Township in its growth and to establish an awareness of its capabilities and services to the community.

Activities of all types multiplied in 1976. The Library celebrated both the nation's Bicentennial and its second anniversary in its new headquarters. Director Nana Bogis, taking advantage of a matching State incentive grant the previous year, had introduced framed paintings by famous artists available for borrowing. . One of the Library's many programs was too successful -- the building was swamped by over 300 spectators attending a Jersey Devil presentation.

EXPANSION OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING

For the third consecutive year, Director Bogis was able to win another incentive grant in 1977. This time the funds were spent on a collection of Super 8mm films. At the Library's third anniversary in its building this new non-print collection, available for borrowing, was launched at an Open House featuring continuous showings of the films and bags of popcorn to add to the festive air.

By 1977 it became obvious the 5,400 square foot building could not accommodate the growing collections of books and non-print materials nor the growing numbers of people using the facility. Something had to be done and done quickly. It was decided to expand the Library's usable area to include the 5,400 square foot basement. The problem was the forest of steel poles supporting the main level. Architect Sidney Scott Smith had added many of these support poles to the several already in existence when he designed the 1974 renovation of the building.

A plan for the basement was designed that would incorporate a separate Children's Room, Meeting Room, Storage Room, Work Room and restrooms.

Work then progressed apace throughout most of 1977. To save money, the Township lent the Library two of its most versatile and experienced workers. For months they sawed and hammered and painted. First, the staff Work Room was done, with space devoted to a small staff lunchroom, kitchen and restroom plus two more restrooms for the public. Next came a wide corridor lined with shelving to house back issues of newspapers and magazines. A large hole was cut in the first floor and a staircase was installed in it leading down to the corridor. A sizable Meeting Room, complete with closets, was relatively easy to accomplish, as was the Storage Room. The new Children's Room, however, presented quite a challenge. There were three support poles in the middle of the room! Ms. Bogis decided to disguise the poles by having the workmen build round tables around the base of each and install brightly colored striped handmade "circus tent" umbrellas atop each pole. Little stools were purchased and varnished to serve as seats around the new tables. Nobody ever realized these study areas were doubly utilitarian by adding seating for children and holding up the main level!

On January 22, 1978 an Open House was held to inaugurate the new lower level (the word "basement" was eliminated as it conjured up a gray, musty and dank area, which, indeed it had been before being transformed into a brightly lit, cheerfully painted and beautifully carpeted facility).

Still another incentive grant was submitted to the State in 1978 that was successful. This time the funds were used to purchase a collection of notable sculpture replicas. Thus, the fourth anniversary of the Library building was marked by festivities at which the sculpture display cabinet was unveiled..

The Library was able to offer displays of various objects in addition to its art exhibits when the local Rotary Club donated a large glass showcase in memory of Peter Carino on September 18, 1979. Since then there has been a semi-monthly or monthly display of every conceivable type, mostly lent by local people.

On October 25, 1979, the 10,000th library card was issued. Other vital Library statistics were all on the rise as well, a result of larger book and non-print collections, more programs for both adults and children, and a growing population.

A flood caused considerable damage to the staff area and Work Room in the lower level in April 1980. The building's air conditioning unit broke down during the summer of that year as well. And in November, the Library was televised for the first time when cameras were brought in to capture an impressive display of presidential election paraphernalia from many past and present political campaigns.

Perhaps the most dramatic year of all, 1981, started normally enough in January with record numbers of users taking advantage of all the services and materials available to them at the Library. But in early Spring the problems began. Plagued by a leaking roof since the Library first occupied the building, new leaks kept opening and the old ones worsened. The Monroe Township Building Inspector closed the Library on March 6 after heavy rains presented potentially dangerous conditions. Every waste basket, bucket and can that could be found were pressed into service throughout the main level to catch the dripping -- and in some cases, pouring -- water cascading into the building. Five trash receptacles were set on the Circulation Desk alone! Materials had to be checked out on a hastily located table. When the weather cleared the Library reopened. Appeals to the Township government were met with attention to the serious situation but with no plan of action other than discussion as to the affordability of erecting a second story onto the building with a slanted roof instead of the existing flat one. It was not until the following November that the flat roof was repaired.

Then, in April 1981, a budget crisis erupted. For the previous seven years, the Board of Trustees had been supplementing the Library's local and State funding with money from a long-standing reserve account which was totally depleted. Controversy between Town Hall and the Library occurred about the origin of the account -- a question that was never answered. A Township allocation of at least $158,000 was requested but only $123,000 granted. An offer of an additional $10,000 was not sufficient to maintain the Library's existing level of service. Despite angry protests from the public, including a petition to the Mayor and Council signed by 3,000 residents, a highly publicized children's picket line organized by mothers, and vast numbers of people crowding Town Hall's Council meetings to express their support of the Library's request, only the additional $10,000 was forthcoming. As a result, the Library's hours were cut from 48 to 45 hours per week, book purchases were severely curtailed and programs were kept to a minimum.

Early in the morning of Monday, July 6, 1981, arsonists struck the Library. A flammable liquid was poured down an exterior slot to a chute leading to an after hours wooden depressible book return depository cart, followed by lit matches. Since the Library had been closed for the long Independence Day holiday, the cart was full of returned books. Flames broke out an hour later, igniting the drapes across the front windows as well as the first section of magazine shelves. The Library was closed for a month while repairs were being made, which included a professional cleaning crew that had to wipe soot off of every book on the main level. An acrid smoky smell permeated the building for more than a year.

The Library's woes carried over into 1982. The Township endorsed an insurance check for $40,031 and forwarded it to the Library which, in turn, deposited it into a special bank account earmarked to pay fire damage bills. However, the Township solicitor alleged that the deposit had been an illegal act on the part of the Board of Trustees and threatened its members with prosecution unless the money was returned to Town Hall. Ultimately, although the money was returned to the Township, it was found the Trustees had acted properly.

Well over a year after the disastrous fire, work finally began August 30, 1982. The Library was closed for four weeks for repairs during which time the damaged areas were restored, fresh paint was applied to the smoke darkened walls, new carpeting was laid and a drop ceiling, long needed, was installed. In addition, an outdoor book depository box was purchased. The year ended on a happier note and once more optimism at the Library prevailed.

The Library's very first computer, an Apple IIe, arrived along with the new year of 1983. As a first step on the long path to automating the Library's circulation system, the staff busied themselves updating patron records and assigning bar code labels to user's library cards.

However, a more daunting project was still ahead. Information about the Library's 30,000 books, plus every non-print item, had to be entered individually into the computer. By the time this was finished a specific bar code label had to be adhered to each book, record, tape, etc. in the Library. It was deemed that since a complete inventory would be taken concurrently, it would be impossible to do the work while at the same time checking books in and out. Thus, it was decided to close the Library for four weeks from September 9 to October 11 so all Library personnel could devote all their time getting the job done.

Everybody was nervous when the Library reopened with its new automated circulation system, but it operated flawlessly. Connected by modem to a master computer in Syracuse, New York, the system relieved the drudgery of the formerly labor intensive manual procedures of checking books in and out, filing cards, issuing overdue notices, reserving books, calculating fines, etc. It freed the staff to be able to devote more time to directly fulfilling the needs of the Library's users. In short, it was all a great success. Being the first public library in South Jersey to automate, other librarians from far and near visited the Monroe Township Library to observe this marvelous technological advance. Computers revolutionized the world in general, libraries in particular and the Monroe Township Library specifically.

Meanwhile, a small Timex Sinclair computer was soon purchased to be available to the public for borrowing to help people familiarize themselves with this new technology. There was always a waiting list. Then, Polaroid cameras were offered by the Library for free loan (a gift from the manufacturer). Another high spot of the 1983 was the receipt of a $5,000 matching Tischler grant to be spent on more books.

But a dark cloud descended upon the Library late in the year. The new Gloucester County Library (established in 1977), sought to explore the possibility of taking over the municipal libraries in the County. Library Director Nana Bogis, along with other Gloucester County municipal librarians and trustees, formed an organization she named LOGICAL (Libraries of Gloucester Interested in Continuing Autonomous Libraries). The group became very influential in educating the public as to the real meanings of the four possible options which were to face voters the following November as a result of the County Library Reorganization Law: 1) a service contract between the County Library and the local library; 2) making municipal libraries branches of the County system; 3) a tax base sharing plan whereby all communities would support the County Library (which the County Library Commission strongly favored); 4) or no change to the present status. LOGICAL urged the public to select the "no change" option.

After attending many Gloucester County Library Commission meetings, LOGICAL meetings, and municipal library meetings, Nana Bogis and Westville Public Library Trustee Gail Shast went to the most important meeting of all. Very early in January 1984 they ventured out to a management seminar attended by the Gloucester County Library Commission and County Librarian in Princeton to which they were not invited. Nonetheless, they were cordially greeted and asked to join the meeting during which there was a frank exchange of opinions. As a result of all this effort, the Library Commission agreed not to place the option question on the ballot in November. The challenge to the Monroe Township Library was defeated.

A new service broadened the Library's non-print material collection: videotape cassettes were introduced in the middle of 1984. The Library joined many others in a three county area in participating in a videotape consortium whereby a rotating collection of videos between all the libraries would change monthly. Immediately, the videotapes circulated far better, as a percentage of the size of that collection, than any other type of material. For those users without a videotape cassette recorder at home, early the next year the Library purchased two portable units that were lent to interested parties.

While 1984 started on a tentative note, the year ended triumphantly for the Monroe Township Library. But the beginning of 1985 was uncomfortably similar to the previous year when, unknown to the Board of Trustees, representatives of the Gloucester County Library met with the Monroe Township Council to discuss the possibility of having the Library join the County system. Fortunately, Director Bogis was alerted while the meeting was taking place and went to it to explain the consequences from the Library's point of view, which included the fact that a county library dedicated tax would be imposed on Monroe Township residents if Council agreed to the County's plan. Thre arguments were persuasive enough for all parties to drop the issue.

On the lighter side, the Library initiated its Academy Award Contest in March 1985. It was presented to underscore the growing special collection of books about motion pictures housed at the Library. The contest was so popular, it became an exciting annual event, with neighboring theaters donating the prizes.

Steady growth in all areas and records for attendance, circulation, and reference questions were all being broken month after month in 1986. As the building became more and more crowded more shelving had to be bought again. The previous spacious and airy quality at the Library was quickly being eroded.

Computers pervaded almost every aspect of the Library's activities in 1987. Classes were conducted for both adults and children of all ages in the use of the dynamic new technology. More computers were added to help the Library staff streamline their various duties. And several computers were installed in the building for public use, along with new software obtained with funds from a State grant.

Because of the continuous growth in the number of Library users and the concomitant increase of materials and services provided for them, the Library was becoming desperate for additional space in 1988. A Building Committee was formed on the Board of Trustees and several different concepts on expanding the physical size were presented to Township Council but nothing came of it.

Almost worse than the space problem was the fact the automated circulation system was not able to keep pace with the increasing number of patrons and materials. In 1988 it was decided a new IBM-based computer system, from a Minnesota company, should be purchased. It meant all the user cards and all print and non-print materials in the Library had to be converted to the new system. Since there was no money to send the information to Minnesota to have the work done there, a massive effort had to be made to do the conversion work in-house.. Countless hours were spent entering all the bibliographic details about each of over 40,000 items into a computer, as well as pertinent data about each active Library patron. The Library was forced to close for the month of December in order to do another complete inventory and to apply new (and different) bar code labels, generated in-house, to their matching items. Although it had been planned to reopen the Library with the new automation system up and running the first working day of January 1989, the enormity of the task proved to be too time-consuming to meet the self-imposed deadline. Thus, the Library didn't reopen until January 17, 1989, with all fines forgiven and refreshments served for a day-long Open House during which patrons received their new plastic library cards with barcode labels attached.

Since the impetus for the Friends of the Library had gradually died out over the years, a fresh attempt to rejuvenate it took place in the summer of 1989. While there was initial enthusiasm for the group, renamed the Monroe Township Library Auxiliary, it, too, eventually failed to be a moving force. Yet it appeared strong community support was always there for the Library when it was needed, but not in an organized manner. Still, the hope for a more vibrant Friends organization was never abandoned.

To mark the 15th anniversary of the Library building, a new type of material collection was introduced: compact discs. While the initial offering was confined to classical music, plans were made to add other musical genres in the near future.

Serious illness and jury duty took their toll on several members of the small Library staff in November 1989. Appeals to the Monroe Township Council for $10,000 to hire temporary help resulted in a $2,000 emergency stipend transferred to the Library late in December. Somehow, the Library managed to stay open without curtailing services, but only because the dedicated staff members put forth many overtime hours.

The new service presented by the Library in 1990 was a Fax machine purchased by the Library Auxiliary for use by the public as well as by the Library. It became a very popular additional feature and was soon heavily used.

Budget woes were faced again in 1990 when the Library's annual budget request to the Monroe Township Council fell short by $50,000. Library supporters attended Council meetings to protest, but to no avail. Unavoidably, children's summer programs had to be abbreviated.

There were some bright spots in 1990, however. The Library received a $500 grant from the newly formed local region of the New Jersey Library Network to spend on business reference works. And together with the Margaret E. Heggan Public Library of Washington Township and the Glassboro Public Library, a reciprocal borrowing program, LOTS (Libraries Organized To Share), was born. Thus Library patrons had the combined collections of the three libraries at their disposal. [NOTE: as of 1995 the Glassboro Public Library dropped out when it became a branch of the Gloucester County Library, but in 1996 the Franklin Township Public Library announced its intention to join LOTS.] Also, due to the new census report showing the population of Monroe Township had exploded to 26,703 people, the Library expanded its hours to 50 per week in order to assure State Aid support would not end . The final upbeat event for the year was a gala Sweet 16 Birthday Party celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of the Library building.

The new year of 1991 was marred by a break-in at the Library building by vandals. Fortunately, the juveniles were caught before any serious damage could take place. But the incident brought to light the need for a burglar alarm system. Later in the year the Township appropriated sufficient funds for such protection, as well as a new air conditioning/heating system and electrical renovations to safeguard the Library's many computers.

Township Council also paid close attention to the Library's need for additional space, as presented by the Building Committee of the Board of Trustees. Plans entailed expanding the building back to the Hall Street School property, owned by the Township. However, complications arose when it was learned the school was a registered historical site and as such, the Monroe Township Historical Society could not receive authorization to have it moved --an effort for which the Society had raised funds. So, the concept was forgotten and the Library staff and the Library patrons continued to contend with its overcrowded conditions.

In the summer of 1991 the First Fidelity Bank branch located next to the Library building was closed. The Board of Trustees took the initiative and investigated the possibility of the Township purchasing the property (which included a huge parking lot) for the Library. Late in the year, Council had the building officially appraised and the year ended with hope once again rekindled that the space problem would be ameliorated in the near future.

Two other noteworthy events took place in 1991. First, a new electronic library database, called SOJOURN, was inaugurated by the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative (consisting of many different kinds of libraries in the seven southern counties of the State) of the New Jersey Library Network. The Monroe Township Library became an avid participant. SOJOURN's CD-ROM based system afforded an enormous amount of books available for immediate interlibrary loan to Library patrons and soon it became a heavily used service. Secondly, on December 5, bells were rung and the staff gathered to cheer and applaud when a Library patron borrowed a book that the computer tagged as the 100,000th item checked out for the year. This was the first time (but not the last) this landmark figure was reached, and the startled patron was showered with little gifts, a big ovation and much publicity!

The first half of 1992 was taken up with efforts to purchase the vacant bank building for the Library. There was a deep division on Township Council as to whether or not the community could afford the $295,000 price tag. Vocal supporters of the plan attended every Council meeting, including some disabled citizens who pointed out the recently adopted Americans with Disabilities Act prohibited the continued use of the Library's lower level which was not accessible to the handicapped while those unable to appear signed petitions urging the Council members to buy the property. Ultimately, the will of the people prevailed and with a vote of 5 to 2, Council approved the purchase.

The second half of 1992 was spent preparing the bank building for its new use as a Children's Library and a Meeting Room on the first floor and administrative offices on the second floor. Council had bonded an additional $55,000 for renovation and refurbishing of the building. The money was spent for carpentry work, painting, carpeting, new shelving and furniture needed to supplement the furnishings moved from the old Children's Room in the lower level of the original building.

When all was in readiness in the new facility, the community sprang into action. On November 27, 1992 about 170 boys and girls, men and women, formed a human chain to move some 11,600 books from the old Children's Room to the new Children's Library while the entire Library staff supervised the move so that the books would end up in the correct order on the new shelves. It took most of the day, but the monumental task was accomplished without a hitch which the Philadelphia television stations recorded for their news broadcasts.

December 5, 1992 was the date of the dedication of the building, now called the Children's Annex. It was standing room only all afternoon during the ceremonies, refreshments and entertainment. The day was truly exhilarating as all involved, public, officials, Trustees and staff alike, saw the fruition of their year long endeavor.

More construction took place in 1993. In order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the restrooms in the main Library building were renovated to create one large handicapped accessible facility. (One of the restrooms in the Children's Annex had been converted for use by the disabled before the building was opened to the public.) But the dilemma of the now largely empty lower level of the main building remained. While the 5,400 square foot space was badly needed, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it could not be used unless elevator access was provided. The Building Committee of the Board of Trustees continued to meet to formulate plans to connect the two structures with an elevator to be installed in the projected center area to access all floors of both buildings. Not only would such a design increase Library space by some 3,500 square feet (the approximate area between the two buildings) but it would provide access to the presently useless 5,400 square foot lower level of the Main Library. However, the Township's attention was being diverted to the construction of a new high school at a cost of some 37 million dollars so that the estimated half million dollars to connect the two Library buildings was put on a back burner.

On the technological front, the Library retired its card catalogs in January 1993 in favor of PACS (Public Access Catalogs) -- computers in both buildings that replaced the card catalogs. They provided a complete database to search the Library's treasures in a swift and easy manner. Furthermore, several CD-ROM products were purchased which gave Library users a new and better way to find information. Within a short period of time, the public embraced both resources.

The following year, 1994, found many of the Library's computers becoming obsolescent or dying from old age and over use. A major effort ensued to replace the malfunctioning equipment, upgrade the older models to accept new software, and add more computers and printers to meet the increasing demand by patrons for public use machines.

Popular books-on-tape made their appearance at the Library. Many Monroe Township residents drive relatively long distances to and from work and welcomed these tapes as a way to catch up on books by listening to them in their audio cassette player equipped automobiles. The Library bought as many of these tapes, both fiction and non-fiction, as its budget would allow.

Early in 1995, the Library honored Miss Alice Bedard, a local retired school teacher who had quietly supported the Library through the years with generous contributions. At the special occasion, to her astonishment, many of her friends and several dignitaries were present. A plaque was unveiled on a wall near a small private office (mainly used by the Literacy Volunteers of America for private tutoring sessions) with the following lettering: ALICE BEDARD STUDY ROOM. During that afternoon, a new video projector was introduced to show a history of the Monroe Township Library, filmed by Nana Bogis and Children's Librarian Elizabeth Lillie.

The introduction of the Internet for the public's use occurred in the spring of 1996. Whereas the reference librarians had been accessing the Internet the previous year to answer difficult questions, this year the 'Net would become directly available to patrons on ten of the Library' s public use computers in both buildings. Additionally, the Library had its own Home Page created by Bill Keller of Buy-Rite WorldWide Communications, the local Internet service provider.

In late summer of 1996, the roof figuratively fell in. The Library was informed by the Mayor that the Children's Library building was to be sold to the Newfield Bank. Furthermore, the Children's Library would have to relocate in only sixty days. This news was met with consternation.

Several scenarios were advanced as to what to do next. The Board of Trustees thought the most pragmatic solution would be for the Township to purchase the long vacant Jamesway department store. With 65,000 square feet, the building could house both a new library as well as provide badly needed space for the Community Center which had outgrown its Pfeiffer Center quarters. More than ample parking was another great benefit. And the price to purchase Jamesway was far less than the cost of constructing a new building. So, while other ideas were formulated, there was no doubt in the minds of the Trustees, staff and especially the public that Jamesway was the best solution.

Unfortunately for the Library, the Township was not as convinced as everybody else was about the Jamesway building. Instead, the Mayor appointed a Library Committee which included some Council members and department heads, chaired by the Director of Buildings and Grounds, to meet weekly with a committee from the Library Board and the Library Director. Against the better judgement of the Library's representatives, it was decided to renovate the basement of the main library building to serve as the site of the children's facility as well as administrative offices. However, it was promised that definite plans would be made to construct a brand new library building right after everything was consolidated back into the original Library.

Since the Newfield Bank desired occupancy by December 1, 1996, the Library closed both buildings from November 25 to November 30 to move all the materials and furnishings from the children's room and administrative offices to the newly renovated basement of the Main Library. However, since the new "temporary" quarters were far smaller than the former two buildings, a great number of items had to be stored in the basement of Town Hall. It was a joyless move--quite a contrast from the day four years earlier when the community joined together to move the children's books into the old bank building. The "temporary" facility was cramped, airless and most important, lacked any space for a meeting room. Thus, there would be no room for free tax help for senior citizens, nor any other programs or presentations by the Library. Only small groups of Story Hours could be continued by Children's Librarian, Elizabeth ("Miss Beth") Lillie, in a tiny basement room.

The year ended on a dismal note. Only two positive events brightened the horizon. One was the availability of a matching State Library grant of $2,500 to enhance electronic resources. The other was the inclusion of the Franklin Township Library into L.O.T.S. (Libraries Organized to Share), which gave Monroe Township residents yet another library to use free of charge. But the weekly meetings of the Township's Library Committee with the members of the Library, despite their frequency, were more involved with improving the existing building (in that the renovations weren't completed) than planning for a new facility.

Technologically speaking, 1997 was a banner year. The aforementioned State Library grant of $2,500 was applied for and awarded. With the funds the Library purchased and installed a CD-ROM tower to enable users to access a variety of informational compact disks from all workstations. Also, virtually all of the Library's computers were upgraded to state-of-the-art status. Through a reduced cost offer from the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, the Library was able to offer tens of thousands of magazine, journal and newspaper articles, many of them full-text, from two new electronic databases. In addition, another electronic database provided encyclopedic and other reference resources. And finally, three badly needed new photocopiers were obtained to replace the faulty ancient machines.

Such progress, however, was not seen in the Library's quest for a new building. Hopes for the purchase of the Jamesway store were dashed when zoning was changed to allow a factory to buy the structure and nothing came of the Mayor's idea to have the factory donate or sell a portion of the huge parking lot as a site for a new library. Nonetheless, the weekly meetings of the Library Committees from the Township and the Library continued. An architectural firm was selected and preliminary drawings were made for a 20,000 square foot building. Consensus at Town Hall seemed to focus on the Pfeiffer Community Center grounds despite there being space and drainage concerns. Yet nothing about a site nor a new building was ever brought to a vote on Township Council in 1997.

Except for no progress of any kind being made on the pursuit of a new library building, 1998 had a few positive developments. First, the Friends of the Library was once more resurrected. Second, after waiting approximately twenty years, Township Council finally approved $20,000 for a book security system. Several months were spent in the arduous task of encoding each individual book, videotape, and audiocassette to prevent the items from being stolen. The Library's records indicated almost 15% of its collections had been illegally removed from the building. The new system would significantly decrease such shrinkage. So, in late 1998 the "gates" were installed between the front doors and the Circulation Desk which would sound an alarm if an item were taken out without being electronically "desensitized" by the library staff. Last of all, the State Library in its "Libraries 2000" program, announced another technology grant---this time in the amount of $6,000. The Library was once again successful in winning the awarding of funds and thus purchased six new public-use computers.

*From "A History of Monroe Township" by Esther M.Davis
Updated May 1999 by Nana E. Bogis

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