Freehold Public Library
The Freehold Public Library the free public library of Borough of Freehold, New Jersey located at 28 1/2 East Main Street.[1] [[Image:https://www.google.com/search?q=freehold+borough+library&biw=1366&bih=599&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil1cX41_jJAhUKSSYKHR0BDg8Q_AUICCgD#imgrc=Xzh0grykL0C5XM%3A}]]
Serving a population of 11,000 residents and with a collection of approximately 26,000 volumes the library has a yearly circulation of circa 28,000 items.[2] While there have been suggestions that it be incorporated into the Monmouth County Library system, the library remains independent. The building is one of the remaining Carnegie-funded libraries in the state and is believed to be the only one with the name Carnegie Library engraved on its facade.[3]
Founding
The King’s Daughters, a charitable and social service organization of the Baptist Church, decided at the turn of the 20th century that the county seat of Monmouth County should have a library. It opened on January 6, 1900, in the Lloyd Building at the corner of West Main and Throckmorton Street with a collection of 500 volumes, but was destroyed by fire in December 1901.[3]
Carnegie Library
The building is one of New Jersey's 36 Carnegie libraries, constructed with a grant made March 27, 1903 by industrialist Andrew Carnegie and opened in 1904.[4][5]
Marion Laird, chairwoman of the Library Committee of the King’s Daughters, wrote to Carnegie asking for financial support for a new library building. The philanthropist offered $10,000, though records indicated that the donation would eventually be $11,000. Two conditions were stipulated: that the town should provide a suitable site. and that it provide support to the library not less than $1,000 per year.[3]
At the annual election of Freehold Township on March 10, 1903, residents voted to support the levy of a library tax. It was the second town in New Jersey to get a Carnegie grant for a new library, the first being that for the East Orange Public Library in 1900.[3] The borough incorporated 1919.[3]
The King’s Daughters raised $2,000 through donations to buy the lot. In the summer of 1903 Frederick A. Brower contracted to construct new library, which cost of $8,874 and opened the following year,[3]
See also
- Belmar Public Library
- List of Carnegie libraries in New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Monmouth County, New Jersey
References
- ↑ Freehold Public Library
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External links
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