On Tuesday November 3rd 1925, Lambertville voted to make the subscription-based Stryker Library the Lambertville Free Public Library.
The library was born from a bequest of Samuel Davis Stryker, who had left $1000 in 1863 to establish a library “for the benefit of the inhabitants” (a specifically inclusive word) of Lambertville, but only after those inhabitants raised an equal amount. Once opened in 1882, in order to remain viable, there was a $2 a year fee to join the library and use the materials. As costs rose over time, the library was not able to sustain itself without a more stable source of funding. Recognizing the importance of a robust town library, Lambertville residents voted to pass the referendum to publicly fund the library by an 85% yes vote.
March 1st, 1926, was the library’s official opening day as a Free Public Library.
To thank Lambertville for its past 100 years of support, effective today the library is moving from a two week circulation period to three weeks, meaning all items will now automatically check out for three weeks.
But wait there’s more!
Introducing our 100th anniversary read – The Personal Librarian. We encourage everyone in Lambertville to read this book and attend our book discussion event to be held in the beginning of 2026. Multiple copies in all formats are available to check out through the library.
“A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation…”
Library cards commemorating our 100th anniversary are available to all patrons. Please ask at the front desk if you would like a card.
And no celebration is complete without prizes! From November to March, the library will offer a special prize drawing each month for a Lambertville history book. Enter to win each time you visit the library.
