In May 1951, the members of the
Wanaque Borough Woman's Club were inspired to bring library
facilities to the Borough of Wanaque. Following a
year of discussion, the Woman's Club leased an old house on the
Haskell School property from the Board of Education in September
1952. Plans were made for renovation, but were
withdrawn within a period of three years when it became evident
that the property was needed for the school expansion program.
In February 1955, the Borough
Council deeded a small lot on Furnace Avenue to the Woman's Club
as a library site, but again were abandoned due to
dissatisfaction concerning the suitability of the
property. In 1959, the property was returned to the
Borough.
Enthusiasm and hoped waned
until September 1961, ten years after the inception of a library
program, when a positive plan for construction of a library
building was presented and a course of action was launched.
The Borough Council leased to the Woman's Club the
property at 616 Ringwood Avenue, Wanaque in September. A
referendum to accept and maintain a public library was passed in
the November 7, 1961 election. Ground breaking ceremonies were
held in the pouring rain on November 14, 1961.
The second decade of history of
the library has been one of industry, fundraising, volunteer
participation, and hardship as construction proceeded
spasmodically. All labor for this project was donated
and, although problems arose frequently, the Woman's Club is
humbly appreciative for the cooperation and perseverance of the
towns people who contributed funds, materials, and labor.
The sponsoring Club pays
special tribute to Gerald T. Health, architect, the general
contractors, The Botbyl Brothers, Edward J. Ryan, Charles
Trovato, John Smith, Donald Ryan, David Campbell, Glen Cisco and
to the organization and citizens whose combined efforts and
generosity have made this dream a reality.
Temporary library services were
offered to the public in April 1968 by the Library Board of
Trustees in a store on Ringwood Avenue, Haskell. June
11 to 27, 1970 was a moving period from temporary facilities to
permanent headquarters. The Woman's Club express its
appreciation to the Wanaque Borough Board of Library Trustees for
their cooperation and contribution in the final stages of this
project.
On June 28, 1970, a year short
of a second decade, the Wanaque Borough Woman's Club proudly
presents to the Borough of Wanaque a completed, well-equipped
Free Public Library.