Randolph Library Beginnings
Written by Mary Mitchell, a member of the founding group
June 1962—PTA Council Meeting
It all began on a balmy June evening. The year—1962; the meeting—the PTA Council; the members—Mrs. Robert Edwards, Mrs. William Mitchell , the PTA presidents; Mrs. Bopp, teacher at Ironia School; Mrs. William Smith, principal of Ironia School; and Mr. C. Arthur Hammers, Superintendent of Schools, at whose home they met. During the meeting Mr. Hammers suggested that an investigation of ways and means of founding a library for Randolph might be a worthy project. The group agreed, and each member was assigned a lead to investigate.
April 1963—Women’s Club Joins PTA to Set Up a Library Association
Nearly six months passed, most of the leads had become blind alleys, and then the idea of an Association Library in cooperation with the Morris County Library came on the scene. Roxbury had just started a library of this sort, and Mrs. William Catterman was able to obtain records of their beginnings. This was the method; now we had to work out our own success story. Since the PTA was primarily dedicated to the schools and their direct activities, it was decided in March 1963 that the Women’s Club should be asked to participate as a joint sponsor. In April a meeting was held at Mrs. Mitchell’s home. Attending were the executive boards of three organizations: the Randolph PTA, the Ironia PTA, and the Randolph Women’s Club. Mr. Hammers represented the PTA Council. In all, 34 persons attended. Miss Virginia Harrison, Morris County Librarian, spoke on how to organize an Association Library and on what part the County Library would play in this project. After much discussion, it was decided to appoint two persons from each organization to set up a meeting between the local citizens and the state and county library representatives, with the aim of setting up a local library association. The six were: Mrs. Herbert Goddard and Mrs. Peter Gattone (Women’s Club); Mrs. Robert Edwards and Mrs. William Appleby (Ironia PTA); and Mrs. William Mitchell and Mrs. William Cook (Randolph PTA).
May 1963—Randolph Township Library Association Formed
The public meeting was set for May 22, one month after the committee of six was appointed. Letters were sent to every official, social, service, and religious organization in the Township. Local leaders were invited, and through our local newspapers, PTA flyers, and the radio stations, every effort was made to inform the public and invite them to participate. A local attorney, Mr. John Newman, volunteered his legal services. A temporary board was set up which would include leaders from all areas of the Township. Representatives from both state and county libraries consented to speak. All was arranged. A week before the meeting, Mrs. Goddard , the temporary chair, said, “But what if no one comes? Have we wasted our time?” We could only wait and see...and worry. The following day, a letter and a pledge for $300, pending the success of our efforts, came from Mr. Herbert Hirschhorn, a New York attorney whose brother was a township resident. It was the needed vote of confidence, and the committee of six cast further doubt aside. On May 22, in the auditorium of Randolph High School, the Randolph Township Library Association was formed and the interim Board of Trustees was elected. They were Mr. Kenneth Webb, President; Mr. Frank Hamilton, Vice President; Mrs. Robert Edwards, Secretary; Mr. Harry Riback, Treasurer; and Mrs. William Mitchell. Two ex officio members were included: Mr. Herbert Steinberg, chairman of the Township Committee, and Mr. C. Arthur Hammers, School Superintendent. Incorporation papers were to be completed and a tentative constitution written by the next meeting, to be held June 18 at the High School Auditorium. Committees were named: Constitution and By-Laws—Mrs. Herbert Goddard; Finance—Harry Riback; Books—Mrs. William Appleby; Ways and Means—Mrs. William Mitchell; Membership—Mrs. Herbert Steinberg; and Building and Grounds—Mrs. Ben Bragman.
On June 18 at the second organization meeting, the constitution was ratified and the Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization. And as at the May meeting, financial support was accumulated. Through the summer the by-laws were written, a membership drive was organized and the Building and Grounds Committee continued to search for a home for the library. In October at the first annual meeting, the Board was able to announce that a site for the library had been found and ask for permission of the members to negotiate a purchase. Financing was arranged from the National Union Bank with the aid of six co-signers. They were Kenneth Webb, William Mitchell, Frank Hamilton, Ira Myers, Ben Bragman, and Harry Riback.
January 1964—Home and Garden Nursery Purchased
On January 1, 1964, the Library Association acquired the deed to the Home and Garden Nursery property. Meanwhile, plans for renovation to accommodate the library were being made. After taking possession of the ten-acre property on March 1, the Library Board swung into high gear. The large double garage lost its doors, and walls with windows and a front door appeared in their place. Flooring and lighting were added, as were shelves, shelves, and more shelves! Many people donated books, and Mrs. Robert Day, the first head librarian, was busy working on those and lining up teams of volunteer librarians. The County Library found two library tables, chairs, a desk, and a basic collection of books to bring up to Randolph. Somehow, with the help of many of Randolph’s artisans who donated their skills and with the help of many who donated materials and funds, the Library raised its flag for the first time and signed up its first borrowers on Saturday morning, June 20, 1964.
Thus it all began.