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Dowdell Library Celebrates 100 Years in 2014

News Release –

SOUTH AMBOY – In 2015, the Dowdell Library of South Amboy will be welcoming in its 101st year! The Centennial year was a year chock-full of events such as a children’s Olympic Read-a-thon, a Centennial Bake-off, a Meditation program, a children’s gardening program, the Centennial Celebration at the South Amboy YMCA, a super hero costume contest, a cooking demo by caterer Carole Semel, an Eyes of the Wild animal program, a Stephen Youll exhibition and reception, the Get a Job workshops, the I Love South Amboy Photography Contest (Grand Prize winner was Anne Wang and Runner-Up was Edward Hughes); as well as the South Amboy Historical Society’s 1914 program commemorating the library’s beginning!

The year concluded with the warm Centennial Salute – Holiday Open House, in which Mayor Fred Henry proclaimed “the library is a destination for the community that honors the values and traditions of the past while striving to best serve the community to contribute to an even better future.”  He further congratulated and commended the library “in recognition of 100 years of exemplary community service.”  Furthermore, Senator Vitale and Assemblymen Coughlin and Wisniewski transmitted via a Joint Legislative Resolution that “the year 2014 marks the One Hundredth Anniversary of Dowdell Library, which is a highly esteemed organization within the Garden State community.”  Additionally, “the Dowdell Library has admirably served its community by providing an essential source of education and enjoyment…”

The Centennial Planning Committee consisted of the following members of the community: Marilyn Cipollari (staff), Marilyn Davidoff (MGD Enterprises), Elaine Gaber (Director), Jacqueline Julian (Jacqueline’s Florist), David O’Connor (Library Board), Janet Simeone (staff), Marty Tannenbaum (Innovative Document Imaging), Gail Tanski (Gail Tanski Photography), and Barbara Tobin (Library Foundation).

Library Director Elaine Gaber would like to recognize and express appreciation to all who have served as Library Directors, Trustees, and staff members, and acknowledge the Friends of the Library, the Library Foundation and the City of South Amboy for supporting and contributing  to our amazing library for 100 years.  The Dowdell Library is an “in demand” destination for  the community due to those joint efforts and contributions.  She went on to say that we are proud to be part of this remarkable institution and pleased to provide leadership and valuable services to the residents of South Amboy.  Ms. Gaber also mentioned that “we envision that one hundred years from now, our commitment to responsible planning will enhance the library’s role as a vital community hub for learning, growing and enjoying the expanding opportunities of our changing world.   We will ensure the library’s sustainability and continue to evolve to best serve the residents of our “pleasant little city by the bay.”

Library locations through time: South Amboy Post Office (Broadway & David Street); South Amboy Trust  Company (Broadway & Augusta Street); Calvary Methodist Church (Second & Stevens Avenue) and currently: South Amboy High School Complex  (John T. O’Leary Blvd.

Perhaps Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States 1989-1993 said it best: “Libraries and librarians have definitely changed my life and the lives of countless other Americans.”

The Dowdell Library is adjacent to the South Amboy High School off O’Leary Blvd. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 10 am – 8 pm; Wednesday and Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 12 noon – 4pm. For current programs, log onto www.dowdell.org.  For additional information, contact the library at comments@dowdell.org or 732-721-6060.

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