The kickoff to the Red Bank Public Library’s Centennial Year on Friday, November 10, was a rousing success! Guests included Mayor Billy Portman, Former Mayor Pasquale Menna, Congressman Frank Pallone, Policy Director Mike Illiano, Board Members, the Foundation, and many of the library staff.
Library Director Eleni Glykis and other attendees gave speeches, atmospheric music was performed by students from the Monmouth Conservatory of Music, and food and drink were enjoyed by all.
This event initiated the Library’s year-long Centennial Celebration!
On November 10, 2023, the Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library will host a kick-off celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Library’s founding on January 2nd, 1924. A series of special events and fundraising activities will continue throughout this special year. The November 10th event will have speakers, raffles, music, food, and good company, and will begin at 7 PM at the Library. Tickets are $75.
Red Bank’s first library was instituted in 1878, but wasn’t free, charging $1.50 ($46 in today’s dollars) for subscriptions that allowed patrons to take out just one book at a time.
By creating a free public library, the citizens of Red Bank made a definitive statement that they wanted everyone, not just those who could afford it, to have access to the resources a library could provide. Red Bank’s support for the Library continued even through the stock market crash and the Great Depression. This community spirit continues to be visible today in the wide variety of inclusive programming offered by the Library to engage, support, and educate.
Since that moment in 1924, the library continued to grow, moved to various locations, and expanded its collections. The current location, overlooking the Navesink River at 84 West Front Street, was secured in 1937 as the result of a gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Sigmund Eisner’s sons.
The Red Bank community has much to be proud of and celebrate! We hope to see you at the Library’s special events this year.