Elizabeth Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Elizabeth Public Library is the free public library
of Elizabeth, New Jersey
. Serving a population of approximately 121,000, its collection contains 342,305 volumes, circulating 190,581 items annually. from four locations.
in part with the impetus of Charles N. Fowler
, US Congressman from Union County
. It is one of New Jersey's original thirty-six Carnegie libraries, which by the 1940's had become one of the busiest libraries of its size in the USA. Records show that millionaire Andrew Carnegie
granted $130,810 made February 3, 1910, for the main and no longer existing Liberty Plaza branch libraries. Opened in 1912, the building, reminiscent of an Italian palazzo
and the Boston Public Library
was designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton, who had designed many other Carnegie libraries
as well as the immigration station at Ellis Island
. It is contributing property
to the Midtown Historic District, a state and federal historic district
established in 1994-1995. The Main Library is the Federal Depository Library for Union County.
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
. Serving a population of approximately 121,000, its collection contains 342,305 volumes, circulating 190,581 items annually. from four locations.
Locations
- Main Library - 11 South Broad Street
- LaCorte Branch Library - 408 Palmer Street
- Elmora Branch Library - 730 W. Grand Street
- Elizabethport Branch Library - 102-110 Third Street
Carnegie library building
Elizabeth's Main Library was built during the "free library movement" at the turn of the centuryTurn of the century
Turn of the century, in its broadest sense, refers to the transition from one century to another. The term is most often used to indicate a non-specific time period either before or after the beginning of a century....
in part with the impetus of Charles N. Fowler
Charles N. Fowler
Charles Newell Fowler was an American Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 8th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1903, and the 5th district from 1903 to 1911.Fowler was born in Lena, Illinois on November 2, 1852...
, US Congressman from Union County
Union County, New Jersey
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 536,499. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Elizabeth. Union County ranks 93rd among the highest-income counties in the United States. It also ranks 74th in...
. It is one of New Jersey's original thirty-six Carnegie libraries, which by the 1940's had become one of the busiest libraries of its size in the USA. Records show that millionaire Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
granted $130,810 made February 3, 1910, for the main and no longer existing Liberty Plaza branch libraries. Opened in 1912, the building, reminiscent of an Italian palazzo
Palazzo
Palazzo, an Italian word meaning a large building , may refer to:-Buildings:*Palazzo, an Italian type of building**Palazzo style architecture, imitative of Italian palazzi...
and the Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library, McKim Building
The Boston Public Library McKim Building in Copley Square contains the library's research collection, exhibition rooms and administrative offices...
was designed by Edward Lippincott Tilton, who had designed many other Carnegie libraries
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
as well as the immigration station at Ellis Island
Ellis Island
Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. It was the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with landfill between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the...
. It is contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
to the Midtown Historic District, a state and federal historic district
Historic district
A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries, historic districts receive legal protection from development....
established in 1994-1995. The Main Library is the Federal Depository Library for Union County.
See also
- List of Carnegie libraries in New Jersey
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, New Jersey