History of the Atlantic Highlands Public Library
On September 17, 1926 our library became a reality. That was the day corporation papers, filed by the
Atlantic Highlands Public Library Association, were recorded in Trenton. Two prior efforts had failed.

1891 - 250 volumes
In November, eight young women set up a free public library and reading room in rented space in the
former J. M. Johnson Drug Store at 14 Third Avenue, near Bay View (now Ocean Boulevard). They
secured some 250 books and many free local and state newspapers, but were forced to close in about a
year when expenses exceeded receipts.

1894 - 600-700 volumes
The second attempt was backed by Miss Emma Hatfield, a resident who had, in 1887, had built a large,
Queen Anne style house, which still stands at 78 Eighth Avenue. Reporting on the library’s brief life,
Thomas Henry Leonard wrote in From Indian Trail to Electric Rail that she “interested several wealthy
people of New York. The library was supplied with 600 or 700 volumes and, beside this liberal donation,
Mrs. Hatfield had been guaranteed a subscription of $100 from a New York lady....A room was secured...
in the Bartleson Building on First Avenue. It was called the ‘Forrest Library and Reading Room’ and
placed under the supervision of Miss Emma Crate. This enterprise, we are sorry to say, had a limited
existence....Its location, on the third floor, and the stringency of its time, financially caused its
discontinuance.”
 
1919 - 3,000 volumes
The third effort, which finally succeeded, was begun “by those splendid women who worked so hard and
faithfully together here during the trying days of the World War” in the local Red Cross, Leonard wrote.
After the War, they established the Community Club of Atlantic Highlands, whose activities included a
library. It had over 3000 volumes and, a  reading room with current periodicals. Miss Margaret Eadie
was the superintendent.


Former site of the Atlantic Highlands Library

1926-2009 - 21,000 volumes
On August 17, 1926, the Community Club passed a resolution to transform its library into a full-fledged
Borough Public Library. In September, 1926, the Atlantic Highlands Public Library officially came into
being. Estimated operating costs the first year were $1,500, and there were 211 members. In 1927, the
Borough Council appropriated $1000 to support the Library.


Program from "Merchant of Venice" 1927

Also that year, fund-raising events were launched; amongst others, the world famous Atlantic Highlands
actor, Robert B. Mantell, put on a benefit performance of Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice.” The benefit
that Mantell staged, at the request of the Atlantic Highlands Public Library, was held on September 2,
1927 in the auditorium of the school at Washington Avenue and Avenue C. According to the printed
program, it was staged by the "Mantell-Hamper Company" with a cast of 15, including Mantell as Shylock
and Genevieve Hamper as Portia, as well as a five-person staff. Advance tickets were sold in Highlands,
Rumson, Leonardo, Sea Bright, Navesink and Monmouth Hills. Posters were displayed around the area,
publicity was carried in the Atlantic Highlands Journal, and promotional slides for the show were flashed
on the screen at the Atlantic Theater. The net proceeds for the library were $909.86.


Miss Violette Murray

The first librarian, Mrs. Annie Woodward, served for 20 years. She was succeeded by Miss Violette
Murray as library director from 1946 thorough 1955.  For 28 years, the Public Library and the Atlantic
Highlands School Library shared space in the school building. As school population expanded, more space
was needed. In 1954, the Public Library left the school building and temporarily stored in books in a
garage on First Avenue. On January 1, 1955, the library reopened on the second floor of the former
Community Club building on the corner of First Avenue and Ocean Boulevard; the Post Office was on the
first floor, and currently is the laundromat. In this new location, Mrs. Ida Naughton was in charge through
1959. For 20 years, between 1960 and 1980, the director was Mrs. Helen Donoghue, mother of our former
mayor, Peter Donoghue. In 1970, the library moved to 100 First Avenue in the newly completed Borough
Hall, where it has remained ever since. Public computers and videotapes were introduced during the
directorship of Mrs. Barbara Nelson from 1981 through 1999. Under the current director, Mrs. Marilyn Scherfen,
the online system, including the catalog, and the Library’s website,became available. Currently,
the library houses approximately 21,000 volumes. In 2007, over 37,000 items were circulated to our
nearly 2100 members.  The Friends of the Atlantic Highlands Library, organized in 2004, have added
many new interest groups, including the Book-Lovers Discussion Group, ‘Books Sandwiched In’ (with
speakers on various topics), and a chess club for children.For over 80 years, the Atlantic Highlands Public
Library has served the borough.  Though the kinds of information and the formats have changed and
increased, the mission remains the same: to provide access to information for the citizens of Atlantic
Highlands.

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