The Hatfield Legacy

Photo of Thomas Hatfield by Hoboken native Dorothea Lange

Thomas Hatfield photographed with library staff in the Director's Office.

A sculpture of Thomas Hatfield by Enid Bell.

An 1890 letter from Thomas Hatfield inviting the Trustees to the Library's opening ceremonies.

Nina Hatfield was an accomplished poet.

Nina Hatfield photographed with the rest of the Board of Trustees in 1953.

Nina Hatfield's retirement announcement, which lists some of her numerous accomplishments in the service of HPL.

Two obituaries for Thomas Hatfield, who died in 1925.

Nina Hatfield's 1965 obituary. She outlived her husband by 40 years and died at age 95.

The items on this page all pertain to Thomas and Nina Hatfield themselves and their contributions to the history of Hoboken Public Library. They were guiding forces from the very beginning and to this day the staff looks to their example as we continue to develop innovative library programming and bring our patrons the best materials and resources possible.

Thomas Hatfield was the first librarian at what was then known as the Free Public Library of Hoboken, located in the Second National Bank building on the corner of Hudson Place. His legacy at the library involves building and growing the original collection, as well as helming the team of librarians through major changes as the library grew, including the move into the purpose-built building the library occupies today at 500 Park Avenue. Whilst there, he met a cataloguer named Nina Koester, and they fell in love and married.

When Thomas Hatfield died in 1925, Nina Hatfield took up the reins at Hoboken Public Library as head librarian herself, a post she would proceed to use to revolutionize the library services HPL offered. It was Nina who started children's storytimes at the library, which she conducted herself, and she also is responsible for the birth of the local history collection. By the time she finally retired, the library was transformed into a locus for the community, a place both to learn and to gather.

Today, Hoboken Public Library employees strive to live up to their legacy and continue to develop new programming and make the library a welcoming space for all who wish to explore new things, apply for jobs, do homework, or simply find their next book to read.