It was 1931 and the depths of the Great Depression when the ladies of the Springfield PTA met to form a library association. The committee donated $50.00 cash, collected books, ordered tables and chairs and set about arranging the library in donated space in the Brookside Building on Morris Avenue. When the doors finally opened on March 16, 1932, the Springfield Free Public Library had 1,000 books and letters of congratulations from President Herbert Hoover and Governor A. Harry Moore. In the first year they issued 750 library cards.
On Sunday, March 18, 2012 celebrate the library’s eighty years of service to the Springfield community. Let us take you back to those days while we share some memories. At 1:30 pm a reception and light refreshments will offered. Following at 2:00 pm special guest Mayor Ziad Shehady and Library Board President Shelley Stangler will address the audience. Director Susan Permahos will share some of the important events in the library’s history and share photographs of times gone by.
Then settle in and enjoy the songs of the era in a concert entitled “Cheer Up America” featuring favorites of the day such as “Keep on the Sunny Side of the Street” and “Bye Bye Blues” sung by vintage guitarist Ken Lelen. Lelen has played acoustic guitar for more than 48 years and brings several early 20th century guitars to each performance. This performance is made possible by the David Hendlin Memorial Fund.
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The Springfield Free Public Library is located at 66 Mountain Avenue, Springfield. Regular library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. More information may be found on the library’s website www.sfplnj.org and on Facebook.
