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1902
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On November 4, the people of Camden, New Jersey voted to establish a public library under the State Library Laws of April 1, 1884.
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1903
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Andrew Carnegie offered $100,000 to Camden for a public library. The offer was accepted on February 24.
The Board of Trustees incorporated the "Free Public Library of Camden."
On November 4, the property at Broadway and Line Streets was purchased.
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1904
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On July 4, the cornerstone of the Main Library at 616 Line Street was laid.
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1905
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On June 27, the Main Library opened.
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1906
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The East Camden Branch opened at 27th and Federal Streets.
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1918
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Cooper Branch Library opened at 2nd and Cooper Streets in a new building donated by Eldridge S. Johnson, President of Victor Talking Machine Company. This building presently houses the Walt Whitman International Poetry Center.
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1925
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The Fairview Branch opened in the Fairview section of the city.
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1926
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The East Camden Branch was relocated to the Dudley Mansion in Dudley Grange Park.
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1933
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The Fairview Branch moved to the Fairview Business Square in Dobbs Apartment Building.
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1951
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Fairview Branch relocated to Yorkship Square over the 5 & 10 Store.
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1952
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On May 17, the Kaighns Avenue Children's Branch opened at 1458 Kaighns Avenue in the Parkside section of the city.
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1953
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The 50th Anniversary of the Camden Free Public Library was celebrated at the Walt Whitman Hotel.
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1960
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Kaighns Avenue Children's Branch relocated to the business section of Haddon and Kaighns Avenues.
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1966
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A film department was created at the Main Library and the first movie projector and films were purchased.
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1967
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Camden Free Public Library became part of Garden State Film Circuit; a position it held until 1991.
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1969
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Nine libraries in Camden and Burlington counties set up a reciprocal borrowing arrangement for residents of their communities. Camden Library housed the Black History and Culture Collection.
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1970
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Camden Free Public Library helped established the Camden Regional Film Library, and was a member until the film library disbanded in 1994.
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1971
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Bookmobile service began.
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1974
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Cooper Branch closed at 2nd and Cooper Streets.
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1975
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Fairview Branch relocated to 1503 Collings Road.
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1977
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Kaighns Avenue Children's Branch began serving adult patrons.
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1978
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A collection of art prints were made available to be checked out.
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1979
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Bilingual Information and Referral Services and the U-Can-B-A-Reader Program were incorporated into the library structure.
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1980
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On March 22, the Isabel Miller Branch opened at 8th and Van Hook Streets.
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1983
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The Library received a grant from the State Library to purchase and renovate the Public Service Company (PSE&G) Building at 418 Federal Street to become the new Main Library.
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1984
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The Camden County Chapter of Library Volunteers of America established an office in the library. They offer tutoring for adults who want to learn to read and tutor training workshops for adults who want to teach others to read in one-on-one situations.
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1986
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Talking books from the Library for the Blind and Handicapped were made available through the library for persons unable to read books whether through defective eyesight or physical incapability.
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1987
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In January, the Main Library moved to 418 Federal Street, the former site of the PSE&G Company.
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1990-1993
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A grant from the Penn Foundation funded an afterschool program to help children with their homework and provide various programs in and out of the library.
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1994
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William Garenia was appointed Director of the library system by the Board of Trustees.
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1998
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In the month of August, the Board of Trustees appointed Theresa M. Gorman Director of the library system.
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2003
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In December 2003, Friends of the 418 Federal Street Library, Inc., was formed by Camden city activist and Library Board member Frank Fulbrook. The aim of the group is to preserve the 418 Federal Street building for use as a library.
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2004
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The Main Library building at 418 Federal Street is incorporated into the National Register of Historic Places.
July 1, 2004 the Camden Free Public Library celebrates its 100th Anniversary with a catered gala luncheon in the Main Library Community Room. The State Librarian, the Mayor of Camden and other dignitaries are in attendance.
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