‘No crying in libraries!’ Saying goodbye to library director Maria Norton in Morristown

Maria Norton, seated center, with her library staff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Maria Norton, seated center, with her library staff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Video: In Praise of Maria Norton

By Kevin Coughlin

At one point during her sendoff this month, Maria Norton reminded well wishers: “No crying in libraries!”

But some tears were shed during the course of the evening. In a world with few constants, the people of Greater Morristown could count on at least one thing for nearly a half-century: Norton’s smiling face at the Morristown & Township Library.

Norton started in the year of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and worked her way up from page to children’s librarian and, eventually, to library director.

She took pride in helping library patrons make connections — a great author, the perfect book, a program to demystify your computer.

And she proved a quiet yet effective leader in times of crisis. Twice the library blew up. KA-BOOM! Norton was there to pick up the pieces, calmly, confidently, methodically.

Now, she will be putting her children’s librarian skills to use with her five grandkids. How lucky they are!

And future generations of young readers will enjoy the Maria Norton Nook, opening soon in the library children’s room.

At Norton’s retirement party, others described her more eloquently than we can (see the video). So we’ll just say…

Thank you, Maria! Here’s wishing you many explosion-free golden years.

READ MORE:

An era ends at the Morristown & Township Library, as Maria Norton calls it a career

Maria Norton with Tim Lynch in a scene from 'Flip-Cam Madness,' a promo for the 2008 MorristownGreen.com Film Festival.
Maria Norton with Tim Lynch in a scene from ‘Flip-Cam Madness,’ a promo for the 2008 MorristownGreen.com Film Festival. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Please click icon below for slideshow captions:

Maria Norton, center, with library trustees. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Maria Norton, center, with library trustees. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Maria Norton, seated center, with her library staff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Maria Norton, seated center, with her library staff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

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