In June 1911, Mrs. H. Wells Taylor, who maintained an in interest in education and in the Free Public Library, gathered a small group of women in her home to discuss their mutual concern of assisting the library and keeping it in operation. The ladies formed the “Women’s Auxiliary to the Free Public Library” and elected Mrs. Taylor as the first president, a post she held through 1917.
Their main purpose was to assist in the maintenance of the borough’s library, to help educate the youths in a taste for good literature and to profit by meeting together for mutual helpfulness. The ladies formed a constitution, defined the duties of the officers, agreed to meet the first Tuesday of each month and set dues at 50 cents per year.
They proceeded to operate so efficiently that in 2006, after 95 years, their goals are much the same. Dues were raised from time to time, however, in keeping with inflation and by 2006 is $20 a year. From 1915 until 2005 the club was part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
During the years,
the club branched out to form a Garden Division that meets monthly
and plants flowers every year at the Library, Borough Hall, and
Post Office. They also direct the clubs main fundraiser, a Christmas
House Tour. This tour is quite popular and the proceeds benefit
the Library.