September 26, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Franklin Lakes Borough’s public library celebrates 60 years by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Public Library is now celebrating its 60th Anniversary and has planned “A Taste of Franklin Lakes” at the library on DeKorte Drive for Friday, Sept. 28. The Friends of the Franklin Lakes Public Library, and the library’s board of trustees and staff have planned this food tasting to celebrate the library’s six decades of service to the community. The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., and is free with tickets that are available on a first come, first served basis at the circulation desk. There will be a selection of edible delights from the Indian Trail Club, the High Mountain Golf Club, Delpino Ristorante, Chef’s Table, Golden Dynasty, and Market Basket. At 7 p.m., the party will continue with a performance featuring the rock band “StarFish.” “The library board of trustees wishes to thank Franklin Lakes for its continuing support of the library, one that can boast a circulation of 306,657 annually as of 2011, 63 hours of service a week, and a town where two thirds of the residents own a library card,” said Library Board President James Sheppard. Local History Librarian Samantha McCoy, Trustee Lousie Riccobene, and Library Director Gerry McMahon provided some history of the library, pointing out that the Franklin Lakes Woman’s Club became the driving force behind the establishment of a library in Franklin Lakes in December of 1952. A library manned entirely by volunteers was based in the Campgaw Post Office on Pulis Avenue, and was open for nine hours a week for a town of about 2,000 residents. In 1957, the library moved to what is now the VFW building at the intersection of Pulis and Franklin avenues, where it was open for 12 hours a week. In 1963, the library opened on a Saturday for the first time, and the Friends of the Library group formed in 1966. In 1968, the library was relocated to the basement of the borough hall. A referendum was later placed on the ballot concerning the creation of a municipal library along with the construction of a new building. The residents of Franklin Lakes, numbering about 7,000, voted 5 to 1 in favor of the referendum. In 1977, the new library was unveiled at its current location. By 1986, plans were already under way for an expansion to answer the needs of a town that then had close to 9,000 residents. The addition was completed in 1990. By 1995, Sunday hours were added. A year later, the library installed a computer for public access to the Internet, and the library’s home page debuted. Within three years, with the borough’s population nearing 10,000 residents, it was clear the library needed to expand yet again. The most recent library renovation was completed in May 2004, with new areas in which to gather, new technology to use, and new materials to meet the needs of a town growing by leaps and bounds. Pulis Field project (continued from page 3) community and the Wyckoff YMCA. Substantial funding has been promised by the Wyckoff YMCA and the Torpedoes Soccer Club. “Some local businesses have already stepped forward and pledged in-kind support,” Vanuga added. “With these commitments and pledges, we have about 75 percent of our projected Pulis project cost committed.” According to foundation estimates, approximately $750,000 will be needed to complete the field improvements. Since more than 1,000 families in Wyckoff take part in organized sports activities, members of the Wyckoff Parks and Recreation Foundation believe that support from all those who benefit will make the project a reality. Donations in any amount are welcome. The foundation invites sponsors at various levels, including: Platinum, $25,000 or more; Gold, $10,000 to $24,999; Silver, $5,000 to $9,999; Bronze, $2,500 to $4,999; and Family, $1,000 to $2,499. Donate online at www.wyckoffparks. org or write to: Wyckoff Parks & Recreation Foundation, P.O. Box 145, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Call Laura at (201) 264-6420 for more information.