It takes a library to raise a child



The original library building in Berkeley Heights,N.J.

This is a picture of the Original Public Library for Berkeley Heights from the early 1900's. This picture spoke to me like a voice from the past saying "Berkeley Heights has a strong tradition of families supporting libraries!" 
The building actually was the real estate office of Mr. William Jeffrey.
Mr. Jeffrey was a reader, and his real estate office was filled with books. In the early 1900's he would leave his office open for commuters who wished to stop, rest and read on their way to the train.  Slowly it began to be spoken of as the "public" library.The building was located near the corner of Plainfield Avenue and Putnam Avenue.
The clothes the children are wearing in the picture are neat and clean as a pin. The young lady's and lad's outfits are quite typical  for the time. This is a picture of a strong family unit in a community that values education and institutions like the public library.
This picture caused me to step outside the typical deadlines, schedules, and chaos of my "modern life", and focus on the importance of family,  libraries, education, and the values needed to build strong  communities.
Matthew G. Taylor