NEW STUDY SPACE

Florham Park Library Director Joan Hipp, left, was joined by Councilman Thomas Michalowski, the Borough Council’s liaison to the library to cut the ribbon to the library’s new Ely Sun Center in March 2017. Hipp will retire on Dec. 31 after leading the library for 10 years.

FLORHAM PARK - When Director Joan Hipp first came to the Florham Park Public Library as its director in 2009, the library building on Ridgedale Avenue brought to mind a mythical castle.

“I thought I was in library Camelot,” she recalled Monday.

Hipp will retire as the library’s director after 10 years on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Her impending retirement was announced by Councilman Thomas Michalowski, the Borough Council’s liaison to the library, at the Thursday, Sept. 5 council work session meeting.

The councilman said the library’s personnel committee would be looking at prospective candidates for the position.

“She really has done a great job,” he remarked.

Originally from the Midwest, Hipp came to the library after working for 17 years at the Library of the Chathams, first working as that library’s head of reference before leading technical services at the library on Main Street in Chatham.

She succeeded longtime Florham Park Library Director Barbara McConville, who retired in 2009. A resident of Chatham, Hipp earned her bachelor’s degree in art history from Grinnell College in Iowa and her master’s degree in library science from the University of Minnesota.

More Accessible

During her tenure, Hipp said she has tried to “make the library receptive to people’s varying needs.”

The 16,000-square-foot library building includes areas for group and individual studying, including the Ely Sun Center, a space in the rear of the library with three study cubicles accessible to library card holders. Through a bequest from late resident Ely Sun, the space was renovated from a periodical storage room into the study space, opening in March 2017.

A state matching grant allowed the library to upgrade its lighting.

The library has expanded its digital and downloadable resources to include e-books and audiobooks. Library users additionally have access to Kanopy, an on-demand film streaming service, Freegal, an online streaming music service, and online resources, including Ancestry.com and ReferenceUSA.

Hipp also started the “Second Sundays” programming series for adults. The monthly talks include musical and theatrical performances, and lectures.

During her tenure, the library building itself has undergone renovations on its tower and brick work.

Looking back on her 10 years at the library, Hipp said she feels satisfied with the way the building looks and the people that use it.

“It’s utilized well by the community,” she observed.

‘Part Of Their Routine’

The library is used by residents young and old. Programs for babies and toddlers are offered every month and the director said every day, a group of Ridgedale Middle School students “spend an hour or two” at the library after school. There are also a few seniors who regularly stop by to read a newspaper.

“For a lot of residents, we’re part of their routine,” Hipp remarked.

Looking back on her tenure, she said she believes the library “is in good shape.”

“I can’t wait to see what the next director will do with it,” the director said.

Hipp added that her staff and the library’s Board of Trustees “have been great.” She also acknowledged the Borough Council and borough staff, who she said “have been helpful.”

As for post-retirement plans, Hipp said she and her husband, Mark hope to do some traveling, including spending more time in New York City.

“We love the museums and concerts there,” she remarked.

Hipp described her time at the library as “great,” adding that she is “excited for the next stage.”

Contact Editor Christine Lee at clee@newjerseyhills.com. Find her on Twitter @Cleespot and on Facebook.

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