This building for the Mountainside Library was built from 1966-1968, but Mountainside has had a library in some iteration or another since 1934 (originally in Borough Hall, and later in several rooms within the ‘Echobrook Building,’ of which I know nothing).
The library’s collection has grown from barely a bookcase full in 1934, to 8,000 in 1940, to 24,000 in 1970, to over 50,000 in 2011.
…Well, actually, instead of reading my blather, you could just check out the PDF I’ll link to below (and here). It’s well-written, and thorough, and it mentions chow mein parties (p. 20).
Reference:
Entering Mountainside: 1895-1970. (1970?). “Book Power.” 20-22.
http://www.mountainsidelibrary.org/history.html
. [Brochure].
