Danforth Memorial Library

Danforth Memorial Library, also known as the ''Paterson Free Public Library'', is located in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. The library was built in 1905 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1984.

The Library houses the city's art collection, mostly of painting 19th century paintings donated to the city.

History

The Paterson Free Public Library was established in 1885. It is the oldest public library in New Jersey, and citizens of Paterson created it. Danforth Memorial Library is the current location of the main library branch, and is located at 250 Broadway after the Great Fire of 1902 destroyed the first two libraries. Mary Elizabeth Danforth Ryle funded the historical building in memory of her father, Charles Danforth, a leading industrialist in Paterson. By 1995, there were three (3) additional library branches in the Paterson Public Library system. These branches are the Totowa Branch, Southside Branch, and Northside Branch. Danforth Memorial Library opened the Community Learning Center in 1986, and it has increased its African American and Spanish language collection. Thanks to the Philippine ambassador to the United States, a Filipino collection has been established in this branch. In 2002, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated 35 computers. The Danforth Memorial Library is a member of the PALS Plus consortium.

Architecture

The Danforth Memorial Library architecture is described as Classical Revival. It is a two-story building with four monumental columns made with gray limestone material on a granite foundation.National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form. (1984). United States Department off the Interior National Park Service. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0f592bbf-0354-4642-a5c1-aaf2de98a882 It was designed by Henry Bacon, who also designed the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The property owner is the Board of Library Trustees of the City of Paterson. In 2020, the Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, granted $734,812 to rehabilitate the historic landmark; this fund came from the Library Construction Bond Act. According to the library administration, the rehabilitation project will cost $1,469,624; the current mayor, André Sayegh, and his administration need to cover the matching amount. The rehabilitation project consists of renovating the Children's Department and the Community Literacy Center, modifying the elevator to American with Disabilities standards, replacing the library's roof, and repairing the retaining wall.Rahman, J. (2020, November 24). Paterson gets almost $735,000 to repair Danforth Memorial Library. Paterson Times. https://patersontimes.com/2020/11/24/paterson-gets-almost-735000-to-repair-danforth-memorial-library/

Administration

As of March 2022, the Paterson Free Public Library director is Corey Fleming.

Board of Library Trustees of the City of Paterson.

As of March 2022:

* Herman Irving, ''Alt to Superintendent''
* Debra Bracy, ''Mayor’s Alternate''
* Errol Kerr
* Tracy Pearson
* Irene Sterling, ''Secretary/Treasurer''
* Derya Taskin, Vice-President
* Charisse Taylor
* Dennis Vroegindewey
* André Sayegh, ''Mayor''
* Eileen Shafer, ''School Superintendent''

See also

*Mary Danforth Ryle
*National Register of Historic Places listings in Passaic County, New Jersey

References

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Library buildings completed in 1905
Libraries on the National Register of Historic Places in New Jersey
Neoclassical architecture in New Jersey
Buildings and structures in Paterson, New Jersey
Public libraries in New Jersey
National Register of Historic Places in Passaic County, New Jersey
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
1905 establishments in New Jersey