Monday, December 16, 2013

Hamilton Public Library

1931 Genesee Street

     The Hamilton Township Public Library was organized in 1923  and located in the municipal building.  Since that location was not accessible to many people, Hattie Sherman and Lida Van Sant organized a branch in Broad Street Park.  At first it was located in Harry Robbins' store at the corner of South Broad Street and Sewell Avenue.  It then moved to the basement of the Broad Street Park Methodist Church.  Later it was located in a building across from the old Rusling Hose Company building.  While at this location the Library was open one night a week and Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Van Sant were paid $2 for working that evening.  Next the Library was moved to a house which was located on what is now the parking lot of Providence National Bank on South Broad Street.  In time, this house was moved to  Genesee Street to make way for the bank (then Yardville Bank) and then moved again to Independence Mall.  Interestingly, the Library located in the municipal building charged two cents per day for overdue books.  There was also a Library truck which picked up and delivered books to the various branches  Special thanks to Lee Lugossy for this narrative.

August 1933
Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection


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