Morristown & Morris Township Library NEWS

Library Closed for Memorial Day Weekend - Sat, Sun and Mon.

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The library will be closed for the Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 25, Sunday, May 26 and Monday, May 27. We will reopen again on Tuesday, May 28. Have a nice holiday.

Library Closed Today May 17 for Staff Training

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The library will be closed today, Friday, May 17 for a staff education and emergency preparedness day. We will reopen, Saturday, May 18 at 9:30 AM. Any library items due today will automatically be treated as due on May 18.

Big Library Read May 15 - June 1

Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Big Library Read is a pilot program in which libraries will allow unlimited downloads of one eBook title for library patrons around the world to read simultaneously.

Between May 15 and June 1 you can join with others all over the world to read The Four Corners of the Sky by Michael Malone. Malone’s novel is about love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families. This program is sponsored by OverDrive. Please click here to access the book.

Acadia and Maine, Paintings by Annette Hanna

Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Opening Reception, Sunday, May 19, 2:00 PM

Artist talk, Thursday, May 30, 7:00 PM

The work of Morris County artist Annette Hanna will be the focus of a new exhibit in the F.M. Kirby Gallery on the second level of the library, which will be on view from May 18 through August 30. Being a figurative and portrait painter for many years, Annette Hanna became very interested in landscape painting as a result of hiking trips with friends. The landscape, in many parts of this country is not only spectacular, but unique. In different seasons, and different times of day, landscape provides never-ending subject matter for a painter.

Our National Parks, for example, are specially preserved areas which we can all visit and appreciate. Their origination was brought about primarily because of the presentation painter Thomas Moran made to Congress. Many have an Artist-in-Residence program (AIR) which painters can take advantage of.

Having hiked in Maine along the Appalachian Trail and in Baxter State Park, Hanna applied to the Artist-in-Residence program at Acadia National Park and was accepted. In September 2011, she spent three weeks on Schoodic Peninsula in Maine, painting Plein-air almost every day. The best way to learn about landscape painting is to paint outside and in Acadia she was able to paint in a committed, intense, and uninterrupted way. It was an extraordinary and valuable experience.

A painting entitled In the Beginning, of the Acadia coastline, has been chosen as one of the 101 best paintings portraying some aspect of our National Park System. It is included in the online exhibition “America's Parks Through the Beauty of Art”, accessible here.

The opening reception for the exhibit will be on Sunday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. and an artist’s talk will be on Thursday, May 30 at 7:00 p.m. The talk will concentrate on how artists apply for Artist-in-Residence programs at one of our National Parks and Hanna will describe what the residency entails and periods of time residencies are available. Hanna will also discuss her experience in the very fulfilling program, her paintings in the exhibit, and the process of Plein-air painting.

Image at top: Ocean's Edge

Image at right: Tide Pools at the Point - Pastel

Library History Video by FEMA

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Like many New Jersey institutions, the library suffered some roof, electrical and debris damage as a result of Hurricane Sandy and applied to FEMA for assistance. As part of FEMA’s investigative efforts, they interviewed Library Director Maria Norton and staff to compile their reports and make a request for assistance. In addition, as part of their public relations efforts, FEMA has made this extremely well done video about the library’s history and significant architecture. You can see the video on FEMA's website by clicking here.