Taylor Memorial Library Turns 70!

October birthdays scream for a theme and such was the case of Taylor Memorial Library’s Bewitching Big Birthday Bash on October 23.

Fondly viewed as the heart of the university, TML turned 70 and delighted all who passed through her doors that day with spooky activities, a birthday cake, and a visit by New Jersey Paranormal discussing none other than haunted objects.

“Bringing everyone together to celebrate 70 years of history was an incredible achievement,” said Rita Keene, library user experience manager. “Students, staff, faculty, patrons, former library staff members, and even an associate of the architectural firm that designed the library joined us in honoring Taylor Memorial Library.”

“This event truly reflects our mission at TML—to foster a community where everyone feels welcome and where we can continue to cultivate curiosity and creativity for years to come,” said Susan Van Alstyne, library director.

With well over 200 people joining in the day’s festivities, it more than met my expectations, said Van Alstyne.

“It was a very emotional day,” she added.

Students and staff enjoyed Halloween-themed crafts such as assembling paper lanterns and painting rock monsters. A favorite craft station supplied instant-authors with all the materials to make zines—small self-published magazines or fanzines—about TMLs birthday bash.

After the birthday cake was cut, guests who dared joined a team from New Jersey Paranormal—a ghost investigating team from New Jersey—who showcased haunted objects including a voodoo doll, death mask and the library’s own Victorian hair wreath. With active participation from the audience, the team attempted to communicate with those haunted items, according to Keene.

Although TML may not seem modern to current students, its architectural design is classic “Mid-Century Modern,” a design movement in the middle of the 20th century that emphasized clean lines, functionality and a futuristic look.

In fact, TML is an award-winning building designed by Jan Hird Pokorny & Associates out of New York City.

“This library was Pokorny’s first commissioned work,” said his associate, Kurt Hirschberg, who came out of respect for his late associate partner. “He was very proud of this building. I came to pay homage to his work.”

At the time TML was built, Pokorny & Associates designed a lot of college buildings, according to Hirschberg. Now the firm is involved solely in historical preservation, most notably the dome and rotunda at the New Jersey State Capital Building. 

The best birthday celebrations go well beyond the date and so it is with TML. Corresponding with the 70th birthday, a library archive exhibit exploring the memories and moments that make up Centenary’s history is on display in the TML foyer until the end of December. Curated by Centenary’s very own Professor Joe Coco, the exhibit rotates a collection of 150 paintings, photographs, engravings and etchings from the library’s collection of over 100,000 images.