CAPE MAY — The importance of recognizing people who have dedicated themselves to the legacy of Cape May continues with former librarian Emma Elwell. A new plaque recognizing her contributions was unveiled Oct. 16 in the new branch of the Cape May County Library on Franklin Street.
Those passing by the former city library, which has been converted into a community center, may be wondering what happened to the blue sign with gold foiling denoting “Cape May Public Library, Emma G. Elwell.”
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade said when library operations moved to the newly renovated Franklin Street School, the city had the original sign refurbished by Department of Public Works staff. It was then placed in the children’s area in the community center and the city worked with the library leadership to have another placed in the new library.
Elwell, who passed in 1990, spent most of her life in Cape May, serving as the city branch’s librarian for 20 years. Her integral work in establishing a larger collection led to the library being dedicated to her when it was refurbished and reopened in 2010.
“As befitting her significance to the children’s reading program in Cape May, the new plaque is placed on the wall in the children’s area,” McDade said.
Librarian’s legacy
Before the library found its current home in the renovated Franklin Street School, it had two previous locations.
In 1962, Elwell and several volunteers opened the first library in the basement of City Hall, the former Cape May High School.
It functioned as an independent municipal library and Elwell became librarian, helping the branch flourish until it outgrew the space.
The library was moved to the corner of Hughes and Ocean streets in May 1982, a building that was previously a Bell Telephone switching station.
“She was the one who came up with the idea that they would have the book brigade to pass the books hand to hand when they moved the library from the basement of City Hall to Ocean Street,” said Bob Elwell, Elwell’s nephew and former Cape May mayor.
In June 2024, when the library opened in the former Franklin Street School, another book brigade took place to move the books from Ocean Street to Franklin Street.
Elwell was librarian until she retired in September 1986, but she continued to serve on the Board of Commissioners of the Cape May County Library System.
“She was a wonderful, quiet person that took care of her job and library duties very efficiently,” Bob Elwell said. “Everyone loved her, and she’s really deserving of that plaque.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
