[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 76 (Thursday, June 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    A TRIBUTE TO THE QUOGUE LIBRARY ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 5, 1997

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Quogue 
Library, a haven of literature in the small south shore Long Island 
village of Quogue, that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
  From modest beginnings as a single shelf of books in the local 
general store, the Quogue Library has grown to become a cornerstone of 
this tight-knit, seaside village. Save our houses of worship, there is 
no more important community pillar than libraries, these wondrous 
storehouses of tales of Biblical heroes, historical figures, 
corruptible rogues, and honest men and women who achieved greatness in 
their lifetimes. The village of Quogue would be a poorer place, indeed, 
had its founders not had the foresight to build their library 100 years 
ago.
  The effort to create a local library started in 1897 with 20 local 
women of the Quogue Library Association, each of whom donated $1 and a 
book. Soon they had collected 200 more books, that they shelved at 
Jessups General Store using just record book and a pencil on a string 
to allow library patrons to check books out themselves in an era when 
the honor system prevailed.
  In just 1 year the library's burgeoning collection could not be 
contained on Jessup's shelves. Thankfully, local benefactor Abram S. 
Post and his family donated the property and funds needed to construct 
a library building. In the summer of 1897, the new library opened with 
its collection of 500 works. Described at the time as ``a neat wooden 
structure of much beauty,'' the library was introduced to the Quogue 
community at a July 29 reception attended by many in the village. On 
the front lawn of the library lay a large anchor that came from the 
ship Nahum Chapin, which went down with all hands in January 1897. The 
anchor was a gift from library patron Selden Hallock of Quogue.
  Through its first 60 years, the small library served the Quogue 
community well, charging its members just $3 annual fees and relying on 
the generosity of patrons. Unable to contain its growing collection 
anymore, on July 8, 1978, the library dedicated the Mary Sage Williams 
Room, in honor of the woman who served as library president for 11 
years. At the same time, office space was added for the Quogue 
Historical Society, whose 1822 Schoolhouse Museum occupies the same 
property.
  Few in the Quogue community have been better served than the children 
who have found adventure, world travel, romance, and history among the 
stacks of books at the local library. For the past 100 years, the 
Quogue Library has opened a vast world of knowledge to the youth of 
this small east end village, instilling in them a lifelong love for 
literature and learning.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring the Quogue Library on its 100th anniversary. With 
the grace of God, I am certain our great-grandchildren will celebrate 
the Quogue Library's bicentennial in another 100 years. 
Congratulations.

                          ____________________