About 1866 a few gentlemen in Bergen formed the Bergen Library
Association. They collected subscriptions and organized a library of
one thousand volumes. A room was given for their use in Library Hall
and Major Gaines acted as librarian and secretary. After a few years
the interest in it died out and the books were sold. In 1867 a few
gentlemen in Hudson City formed a Free Library Association and hired
a room on the southwest corner of Newark and Baldwin avenues for
the library. Books were given and bought until quite a respectable
beginning was made. The ladies formed an aid society to help raise
funds to start and support it. It existed for a few years, and then,
for lack of funds and public interest, was discontinued. The books were
packed and stored in a stable belonging to one of the trustees. In 1873
the Board of Education was authorized to establish a free library, with
an allowance of $1,000 per year. It was kept at the High School and was
open on Saturdays only. It was patronized principally by the pupils and
teachers of the High School; in fact, there was a general impression
abroad that none others were entitled to the privilege of the library.
In 1884 the New Jersey Legislature passed a law providing for free
libraries in cities where the provisions of the law were accepted
by the people at the general election. At the first election held,
through indifference of the voters, there was not a majority in
favor of a library, and the matter rested until another opportunity
was given in 1889. At the April election of that year the requisite
majority was secured. In May the Mayor appointed a Board of Trustees
to create a library. They were Dr. L. J. Gordon, Michael Murray, W. C.
Heppenheimer, Nelson J. H. Edge and Charles S. Haskell. The Mayor and
City Superintendent of Schools, ex-officio members. The library was
opened July 6th, 1891. Mr. George Watson Cole was the first librarian,
but was soon succeeded by the assistant librarian, Miss Esther E.
Burdick. In the beginning the library met with many obstacles from the
politicians, but owing to the indefatigable energy of Dr. Gordon and
some of his colleagues, these and all other hindrances were overcome. A
sinking fund was started for the purchase of lots and the erection of
suitable buildings. The site purchased fronts on Jersey avenue, with
fifty-one feet on Montgomery street, and fifty feet on Mercer on the
block east of Jersey avenue.
The library has established fifteen stations. These will be increased
as there is demand. In the reading room three hundred and ten
periodicals and newspapers are on file, and it is well patronized every
day of the year. The reference room is a greatly appreciated feature of
the library, and is patronized by men, women and school children, who
always find in Miss Burdick a courteous, kindly, interested assistant,
one who always seems to know just where the needed knowledge is to be
found. The very superior cataloguing of the library is due to Miss
Burdick. While she is invaluable to all who frequent the library, her
warmest sympathies seem to go out to the school children; to help
solve their difficulties is her greatest delight. The cherished hope of
her heart is that in the new library building there may be a children's
room, well supplied with the very best juvenile literature. She
recognizes fully the importance to the future of our city of the proper
direction of the minds of the children, and in this line is doing
most noble work for her adopted city. The library has many excellent
features, notably the system of book circulation among the schools--the
works in German, French and Italian--and its department of books for
the blind. Jersey City may well be proud of its library and of its
trustees and officials.