[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 135 (Tuesday, September 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE CHESTER LIBRARY'S 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2011

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Chester 
Library located in Morris County, New Jersey, as it celebrates its 
100th anniversary this year.
  The Chester Library officially opened on Labor Day in 1911 as a joint 
library of the Chesters. The library originally occupied a very small 
space above a metal shoe-support factory and was only open for selected 
hours on Saturdays. Due to difficulty attaining funding, it constantly 
moved from one location to another until it finally settled in its 
current home in 1981.
  The library expanded in 2004 with the addition of a Children's Room 
and a public meeting room. The new room not only provided extra meeting 
space for the library, but it is also available for local non-profits 
to use.
  With a collection of over 70,000 books, music CDs, audio books, 
movies, video games, e-books and periodicals, the Chester Library has 
come a long way from its modest start with merely 138 books. Available 
for borrowing are books, magazines, audio books, DVDs, video tapes, 
CDs, video games, puppets and puzzles. Residents of Chester Borough and 
Chester Township, as well as any person with a Morris Automated 
Information Network (M.A.I.N.) card, are free to search the shelves and 
take advantage of all the library has to offer.
  With more than 300 programs for visitors, there is something for 
everyone. From story time for children to book discussions with the 
Young Adult Club and Computer Education for seniors, the Chester 
Library is a rich resource for the community. The library has 12 public 
computers with free Internet that provide visitors with convenient 
access to the Internet and other databases.
  The Chester Library serves a vital role in the community. Not only 
does it provide access to numerous books, collections and databases, 
but the library also offers the people of Chester with a social 
community where everyone is welcome to share and enjoy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Chester Library as they celebrate 100 years of supporting access to 
knowledge and information in the local community.

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