History:
As a result of a Margate PTA Child Study Group meeting held in January, 1961 at the home of Mrs. Fred Weber, the Margate branch of the Atlantic County Library at Mays Landing was formed. Present at this meeting, in addition to Mrs. Weber, were Mrs. Samuel Hoffman, Mrs. Manual Bernson, Mrs. E.C. Reed, and Mrs. O.K. Mote.
At the Charter meeting of the group, Mrs. Samuel Hoffman was elected chairman of the library committee. Sub chairman selected were Mrs. Joseph Dougherty and Mrs. Manual Bernson, headquarters, Mrs. Gil Halpern, Mrs. O.K. Mote and Mrs. Edwin Shoop, correspondence, and Mrs. Fred Weber and Mrs. Arthur Henry publicity. Mr. Roland Scott, head librarian of the Atlantic County Library was guest speaker at the meeting which was held in the Jewish Community Center. He assured the large, interested audience present, that he was in favor of the branch library, since it would relieve the burden from the bookmobile presently used to service Margate. He promised the services of a paid librarian who would be available four hours a week. She would instruct volunteers in library operations. Mr. Scott promised the county would supply all the books. It was the obligation of the Committee to provide the headquarters, shelving for the books and a staff of volunteers. Commissioner William H. Ross, speaking on behalf of Mayor Eugene Tighe and Commissioner Martin Bloom, advised the assemblage that the City Commission was in complete accord with a public library. They deemed it a project of great importance and a necessary addition to civic progress.
