[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELLEVUE AVENUE LIBRARY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Bellevue 
Avenue Library, located in the Township of Montclair, New Jersey as it 
celebrates its 100th anniversary.
  The Bellevue Avenue Library, part of the Montclair Public Library, 
officially opened its doors on December 7, 1914. Prior to its official 
opening, the library had been using a small rented space in the real 
estate office of John Mancini. In 1913, the Montclair Public Library 
received a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of $40,000 to construct 
a new building for the Montclair Public Library system on Bellevue Ave. 
In 1914, the new building was created and opened as the Bellevue Avenue 
Library.
  The Bellevue Avenue Library was designed by architect F.A. Nelson, 
who also designed other prominent buildings in Montclair, such as the 
Post Office and the Upper Montclair Women's Club. The library is now on 
the National Register of Historic Places, with the register noting 
``its temple-like austerity and diminutive size,'' along with its 
classical embellishment. Although the library underwent a major 
renovation in the 1985, it still holds the same architectural design.
  Since the building of the Bellevue Avenue Library, the library has 
had two floors consisting of an extensive literature collection, audio, 
and visual files. The lower floor focuses on children's services, 
including the well-known `children's place' which holds weekly story 
time readings and is staffed by community volunteers. The second floor 
is primarily focused on adult services and literature. Although in a 
separate location, the Bellevue Avenue Library offers the same range of 
services as the main library.
  As the Bellevue Avenue Library and its staff celebrate their 
centennial anniversary, they look forward to growing with the community 
they serve. They look forward to new advancements, new literature, and 
whatever excitement the future holds.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the 100th anniversary of the Bellevue Avenue Library and to salute the 
work of the trustees, staff and volunteers of the Montclair Public 
Library System.

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