In 1885 the Raritan Guard Military and Armory Association became the Raritan Guard Library and Military Association thus exempting their property from taxation. In 1912 this association purchased property at Broad and Third Streets and in 1913 a new library building was erected. Under a joint agreement, the Keyport Free Public Library Association moved its books and furnishings into the Raritan Guard Library building.

In 1914, the citizens of Keyport, at the request of the trustees of the Public Library Association, voted in favor of acquiring the books and furnishings for borough ownership. In 1920 the borough was given title to the Raritan Guard Library Association property.

To date the library has accessioned 31,500 volumes, and has an active membership of 2,214.

The year 1913 saw the introduction of commercial truck transportation into Monmouth County. It was that year that James Rollo started transporting local produce to New York markets by truck.

And in 1917 Keyport was again the site of an historical venture. This time it was an air-sea venture which spanned many years and involved many people. It started with a group of one hundred men who arrived at the newly constructed Aeromarine Plane and Motor Corporation building in the Lockport section of town. These men came to build military training planes. The success of this operation is testified to by the fact that during World War I the Aeromarine complex consisted of 16 buildings and employed 1,400 workers.

Photo Caption: Raritan Guard Public Library, Keyport, N.J.