[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5582-5583]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE WAYNE PUBLIC LIBRARY'S 90TH ANNIVERSARY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wayne 
Public Library, located in the Township of Wayne, Passaic County, New 
Jersey, which is celebrating its 90th Anniversary.
  The Wayne Public Library was established in December, 1922, after a 
discussion during a meeting of the Mountain View Parent Teacher 
Association with Mrs. Grace Freeman, who would become the President. 
The issue of the need for a public library was raised, and fundraising 
efforts began. By June of 1923, after canvassing the neighborhood and 
hosting a tag day, $1,500 was raised, and 200 books donated. Due to 
these efforts, on July 24, 1923, the new Mountain View Library and 
Preakness Library officially opened.
  As Wayne grew, and the collections of the libraries increased, 
regulation and further organization was needed. In 1947, the citizens 
of the Township of Wayne voted to establish an ``American Free Public 
Library, governed by state laws which provided for a seven member Board 
of Trustees including the mayor of the town and the Superintendent of 
Schools.'' This governing body of the library systems in Wayne still 
operates today.
  This Board of Trustees and a Library Improvement Association 
recognized the need for additional space to accommodate the 
collections, as well as to provide other locations to better serve 
Wayne residents. On November 6, 1962, they were able to facilitate the 
passing of a referendum to provide funds for a new central library 
building. They acquired a lot on Nellis Drive, next to the Town Hall, 
which allowed for an 11,000 square foot library, and on February 8, 
1964, the groundbreaking and building began. A few years later, in 
1967, a bookmobile was purchased to serve the Wayne neighborhoods. This 
held approximately 4,000 books, and was in service for nearly twenty 
years.
  Over the next fifteen years, the three branches of the Wayne 
libraries underwent changes to further accommodate the residents and 
expanding collections. With the main library crowded with over 700,000 
volumes, in 1972, an extra 16,000 square feet were added. The new 
Preakness Branch was completed six years later, and in 1980, the 
Mountain View Branch was also renovated, though it would close twelve 
years later. In the latter 1990s, the Wayne Public Library was 
remodeled, and held it's grand opening on June 11, 2000.
  The Wayne Public Library branches are home to a variety of programs. 
Their spacious meeting rooms are used for a variety of purposes, 
including music, tutoring, and reading programs, as well as 
presentations and groups for children and young adults. For adults, 
book discussion groups, computer, English language, art classes, and 
writing groups are all available. The meeting rooms are also used by 
other groups, such as the annual ballet performance for children by the

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McKenna School of Dance. The Wayne Public Library also hosts movie 
nights and viewings for all three age groups at both locations. The 
library offers to display artwork from the Township of Wayne as well.
  The celebration of the Wayne Public Library's 90th Anniversary, on 
April 20, 2013, includes a Wine Tasting and Art Auction Event, 
featuring hors d'oeuvres, desserts, door prizes, a raffle, and live 
music. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Wayne Public 
Library.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
the Wayne Public Library as they celebrate their 90th Anniversary.

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