Though petite in stature, Renée Becker Swartz was a giant when it came to her impact ensuring people of all ages know, appreciate and take advantage of the importance of reading.
Her mission is best summed up by one of her favorite children’s books, written by Patricia C McKissack “Goin’ Someplace Special.” In Patricia and Renée’s words, libraries should be the one place where “All Are Welcome.”
The woman responsible for the origination of the Monmouth County Library, founding member of the NJ Citizens for Better Libraries, founder of the New Jersey Center for the Book, past president of the American Library Trustee Association and so much more died peacefully at her son’s home in Red Bank Thursday, May 14, with two generations of her loving family by her side.
Renée was undaunted by challenges most would shy away from. She stood at bus stops and railroad stations, and went to club meetings and public events in order to secure 10,000 signatures to push local politicians to allocate land and funds to establish the first physical library branch in Monmouth County.
What is now the Eastern Branch of the Library opened in 1966, replacing the bookmobiles that were the only thing available for Monmouth County residents.
In the first full year of operation, the new library circulated over 200,000 items. Renee went on to serve 54 years on the Monmouth County Library Commission, 44 of them as Chairman. Today, the library she worked so hard to establish averages 1.5 million visitors a year, with over two million items in the collection and lends or circulates more than three and a half million items annually.
“She instilled a love of storytelling, reading, and making the world a better place in each of us,” said Aliza Rosen of New York, the oldest of Renee’s five grandchildren.
“But she did all this while also taking us to the ballet, the opera, and the beach,” added Eliana Swartz, the third oldest grandchild. “What I will also always remember are all those summer days on the beach at Ocean Beach Club in Elberon. She was Gigi to each of us, and what I will always remember is that we were all always together. Gigi will always be at the center of our family, and her presence will continue to be felt in each of our lives.”
Renée was a civic leader in the strongest sense of the word. She never held a paid position for any of the work she did, all the committees on which she served, all the state and national organizations in which she was a member and for whose goals she traveled far and wide to promote. But she was also so quick to point out that she learned at home from the time she was born in Newark in 1935 from her parents Sidney and Adeline, who brought her up believing she indeed had an obligation to always do something that would make the world a better place.
Educated at Barnard College, she later served as chair of the building committee for the Dorothy L. Spiwak Memorial Library in Rumson, a trustee on the Graduate School of Communications, Information at Rutgers and was the Governor’s appointee to the NJ State Library.
She was justifiably proud of founding the New Jersey Center for the Book and serving as its state coordinator and chair, which celebrated New Jersey authors and amplified our most important stories. At the pinnacle of her career, she was proud to receive the foremost recognition in her field: the Presidential appointment from President George W. Bush to the National Institute Museum Library Services Board. Her whole family stood by her side for the honor, which was presented by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
It would take pages to list all the honors, awards, and celebrations given Renée for all she did for encourage and provide for reading programs and materials for children. Some of the most prestigious include those citing her as an American library advocate, the Hanna G. Solomon award, Greater Red Bank section National Council Jewish Women award in 1979, the President medal, Barnard College-Columbia University, 1984, Columbia University medal, 1985, Woman of Achievement award, Monmouth County Advisory Committee, 1991; named National Trustee of Year, American Library Association, 1991, the lists goes on. She has been listed as a noteworthy Civic volunteer by Marquis ‘Who’s Who.
The library she was responsible for starting in Monmouth County has grown to 13 branches and 14 members and serves residents throughout all of Monmouth County. Renee received much deserved recognition when, on the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Branch, Monmouth County dedicated and named their children’s library the Renée Swartz Children’s Library, a live and lively daily reminder of the importance she spent her entire life promoting: the importance of reading starting at an early age for all children in order to be successful and productive throughout their lifetimes.
At the time of the Renée Becker Swartz Children’s Library dedication, then Freeholder Lillian G. Burry described Renée as a pioneer and creative thinker, She was a true leader who brought the library from books to technology serving the more than 300,000 Monmouth County residents. She put the Monmouth County library on the national stage with its presentation of everything from technology to arts, music and entertainment, developing it truly into a community center.
Renée Swartz, through her more than half century creating, leading, and working for it, was the true constant in the Monmouth County Library.
If we add up the impact that Renee Swartz has had on the county’s residents in just the last 60 years, by championing the library and its services, we can count it in over 90 million people who have walked through the doors, taking out over 125 million items. 90 million people = 10 times the entire population of the state of New Jersey! I’m sure if we counted the years from 1923 – 1965, it would be well over 100 million people.
Renée
