PLUMSTED – Twenty-five years ago a dream came true with the building of a new location for the township library. The anniversary of that special event was celebrated with a party atmosphere that featured some special guests.
The building is at 119 Evergreen Road, situated between the New Egypt High School and Township Hall. The meeting room was full of white and blue balloons and tables were set for a healthy luncheon following the speeches and presentations made. A video presentation traced the history of the building’s construction from its groundbreaking to the ribbon cutting grand opening. The video played to the song of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Staff members put together a timeline memory board of the building that featured newspaper articles from The New Egypt Press and The Messenger Press, two local weekly newspapers that had covered Plumsted Township at the time of the building project.
Sporting their blue polo shirts were members of The Friends of the Plumsted Library who noted they are always on the lookout for more members. Friends President Christine Hammerschmidt said the group currently has a dozen members. “We have a Facebook page and people can e-mail us at plumstedfriends@comcast.net or call 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600.
“Our website is plumstedfriends.org. The first Saturday of the next month we will be collecting used books at the trailer behind the library. Our book sale will be on the last week of June.”
She and many of her fellow members have been active in the group for decades and some were involved with the committee to have the new library built. The previous branch was based in a small brick building on Main Street that had been used by a telephone company.
Branch Manager Renee Bowe welcomed everyone into the meeting room for the celebration. “We are so happy to see everybody here. We have such wonderful people in this community.”
She noted that Committeeman Bob Bowen took the opportunity to not only enjoy the occasion but to also get a new library card from the front desk.
Bowe commended Circulation Supervisor Nicole Cronce, long time library supporter Daniel Wall, volunteer Taryn Smith, Devon Smith from Devon’s Kitchen who provided the food, Christine Hammerschmidt and Friends Treasurer Paul Hammerschmidt who made the video for the presentation.
Ocean County Commissioner Virginia Haines serves as the liaison for library. She presented a certificate that she read to Bowe that congratulated the dedicated staff of the branch, volunteers who support it and the Ocean County Library Commission that oversees the library system.
She also noted that the library building was “more than just brick and motor – it provides a sense of adventure, a source of relaxation and education for children and adults. It has an emphasis on creativity and a commitment to the community.”
“I grew up in Lakewood and I would visit their library every single Saturday which is on Monmouth Avenue. I remember the red covered books of biographies of every single president and I read every single one of those biographies,” Haines remarked.
She said “I’m glad we are celebrating 25 years here. I feel it is the best library system in New Jersey and that is because of (former Ocean County Freeholder) Jim Mancini and because of (former Plumsted Mayor and Assemblyman) Ron Dancer.”
“Those two individuals were dedicated public servants who gave to the people. We were very happy to have them in our lives,” she added.
Mayor Dominick Cuozzo read a proclamation honoring the anniversary of the building. He also noted “an attitude here of service to people. I’ve come in here with my family and I’ve gotten help with technology of what the library offers as well. How to search for things and how to find books. There is a mix between professionalism and getting things done and a really great attitude of dealing with people.”
The mayor holds a monthly meet the mayor forum at the branch which he said, “has been wonderful.”
County Library Director Susan Quinn thanked “the county, the township, the Friends, our staff, Renee – all of whom work really hard and it is a pleasure for us to serve the community and to provide reading materials and programs for people of all ages. It is also National Library Week!”
