By Heather Niccoli, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — Friends, family and the community came out to celebrate the Hightstown Memorial Library’s 90th birthday on July 16. There were so many things to do, but so little time.
The party featured cake with 90 candles. The staff put out each individual candle with a big silver spoon.
Along with a piece of a handmade spectacular rectangle cake, community members also had their choice of snacking on colorful cupcakes.
About 300 people attended the party.
”There were so many smiles and happy faces. Someone remarked that as they approached Memorial Park by car, the scene looked like an old-fashioned family reunion,” said Hightstown Memorial Library Branch Manager Linda Cholewiak.
She’s been head librarian for 12 years.
Harriet O’Rourke was a very special guest who attended the birthday bash. Her mother was one of the library’s first librarians, from 1925 to 1927.
”I remember that well, she was the librarian, the only one. They only had one back in those days when she became librarian through the Friday Club,” Ms. O’Rourke said.
Her mother, Margaret Johnson Stiff, was 26 years old when she became the librarian.
When Ms. O’Rourke was 13, she said she helped stock the bookshelves at the library with her mother.
Ms. O’ Rourke worked as the secretary to the principal at Hightstown High School for 30 years.
People at the Saturday event, could spot employees of the library, who all wore yellow shirts.
Red, yellow, green and blue balloons were scattered around the library.
The party also featured raffle tickets to benefit the Greenway Walking Bridge.
Two years ago, Hightstown removed the bridge across Peddie Lake dam, along the pathway of Memorial Park, due to safety concerns. Now, the community has rallied together to replace the bridge. Fundraising efforts have just exceeded $55,000.
Mayor Steve Kirson said the dam was a nice focal point of the town and something that everyone has missed. “It will happen, (there’s) no question in my mind,” he said in reference to the bridge being restored.
Kathy Patten, president of the Friday Club, praised Hightstown for building together “so many wonderful things, the library, the park, the bridge.”
In 1916, The Friday Club discussed a town library. Five years later, they opened one at the Smith House. Two years after that, it moved to South Main Street. In 1924, it moved to the R.D. Norton Building on Stockton Street. Then it moved in 1931 to the second floor of Hightstown Trust Company on Main Street.
In 1954, on Memorial Day it was dedicated to American veterans of war at the site of its current location. In 1969, it became part of the Mercer County Library System.
It was renovated and made larger in 1975 and 1998.
”Getting a book and sitting down (to) read a book, maybe one day kids will start to do that, the little game stuff is getting in the way,” said Mayor Kirson.
Holly Moraitis, 31, and her son Yanni Moraitis, 2, visit the library often, and spent time at Saturday’s birthday event.
”He loves all the youth programs they have here, he wakes up in the morning and says, ‘library,’” Ms. Moraitis said.
Mrs. Moraitis goes to the library three times a week.
”As soon as he turned six months, we started coming to Baby Town with Ms. Kim,” she said.
Kathy Wang, who attended the birthday party with her 5-year-old daughter, Jamie Creasi, concurred.
”The library is wonderful. They are so nice and friendly,” she said.
”You can get CDs and you don’t have to buy them,” said Anjlai Gulati, 12.
Sharon Galbraith-Ryer, who has worked for the last five years as an adult services librarian said, “It was wonderful! It was a great party.”
Her daughter, Emily Ryer, 13, enjoys spending time at the library.
”It’s a nice place to go and hang out,” Emily said.
”It’s part of what we are about. We have a lot of those interesting events throughout the year and it makes us what we are. Ninety years of service to the community is something we honor. A library in the community is important for culture, education. It allows children to start good habits at an early age,” Mayor Kirson said.
”To reach a milestone like this, it shows how important the library was and still is to a close knit community like Hightstown,” said State Assemblyman Daniel Benson of the 14th District.
There was a private ceremony for dignities before the public event, which began at 10 a.m.
Sandra Johnson, head librarian from 1981 to 2001, spoke of the many changes that evolved at the library along with the digital age.
”We got computerized. We used to have a card catalog until 1989.”
”I have seen the library enter the digital age. There were only a few circulation staff computers when I arrived; now we have 30 desk and laptop computers for staff, public use, and instruction. This has been a very exciting time for me,” Ms. Cholewiak said.
The staff also provided a banner where adults and kids could pick green, blue or red paint for their handprints and were able to sign their names. The banner will be put on display in the library, along with a paper cake with paper candles of people’s names. It will be on display for the public to see.
”They have so many great activities. I hope they continue to grow for another 90 years and beyond,” Mrs. Moraitis said.
