The Jamesburg Public Library

The Jamesburg Public Library was established in 1930 to serve Jamesburg, Helmetta, and Monroe Township. It was housed in the Grammar School #1, but was moved to a portable building which stood on the corner of Franklin Street and Stevens Avenue. This building was demolished and the library was moved to several other sites through the years. Finaly, in 1948 it ended up in the basement of the Presbyterian Church.

The drive for a permanent library was taken up by the Jamesburg Lions in 1955. However, the project proved to be too large in scope and they turned to the community for assistance. The Library Board of Trustees began efforts to raise the $25,000 needed to finance the construction of the library building. Volunteers canvassed pledges from residents and businesses in the area.

The new building was to be of red brick with the main floor 30 feet by 60 feet. The basement was designed to accommodate community functions of various sorts and act as the cultural center of the area.

By 1957 the Board of Trustees had $6000 cash and $6000 in pledges. In May 1957, the Jamesburg Volunteer Fire Department transferred title of the site to the Library Board of Trustees. Construction began in November of that year. In 1960, the first of a series of Charity Balls was held to raise money to cover the cost of completing construction. The trustees decided they would hold a fund-raiser rather than appeal to the residents and businesses a second time for contributions. The library opened its doors on Memorial Day, 1963. It was staffed by 25 women volunteers and housed 6000 books. There was a ten thousand dollar mortgage which was paid off in just a few years. The Board was very proud of the fact that the library had been built solely by local efforts and not a penny of state or federal aid had been used.

By 1981 the library was severely short of funds. It operated on money raised by the annual Charity Ball, private donations, borough funds and state aid. In an effort to cut costs, the borough slashed funds from $2000 to $250. State aid was cut by 80% because the library could not purchase its quota of 440 books.

A referendum was put on the ballot in the fall of 1981 to "municipalize" the library. It was approved by a 3-1 margin. This change of status required an annual commitment of $15,900 by the borough government.