Coming soon to the Library's fireplace!

Later this summer the fireplace in the Library will get a makeover. Artist Katherine Hackl will be installing a decorative tile work surrounding the fireplace. Ms. Hackl is not new to public installations of her artwork. You can find her art at the Princeton Public Library, the NJ State House Annex and numerous rail stations around the state. She also has ongoing exhibits at galleries in Philadelphia and Surf City, NJ

Recently, we made a visit to Ms. Hackl's Lambertville studio to see how the project was progressing. We were impressed with her studio and the tiles that will soon reside in our Library. Not only was it a fun field trip, we learned a lot about her artistic process and how the final tiles are created.

First, the design is carved into a linoleum sheet. Next she makes the tiles -- usually a few of each one. Then she starts playing with the glazes to get the color just right. Often she will go through 2 or 3 tiles to get it to look the way she envisions.
Want a preview of the tiles? In June and July, we will have tiles in the display case in the lobby of the Library.

Pick Your Own Farms

What could be more delicious and nutritious than Jersey Fresh produce that you have picked? Now is the time to pick strawberries, asparagus, and more. Visit this site from the NJ Department of Agriculture to locate farms that allow you to pick seasonal fruits and vegetables. This site also includes links to roadside markets and community farmer's markets.

Theresa A.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month.

• Presidential Proclamation
  
• Jewish American Heritage resources from the Library of Congress

Theresa A.

An original poem

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we asked people to help us write a poem held on an easel in the center of the library. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us to create this poem:

A Salt Water Pond

At the end of a journey
Teeming with life
Makes for a wonderful day
But behold! There’s a fork in the road
Which way is the right way to go
A light in the distance
Guides me to my destination.
I try to reach the light, but it seems
Like an eternity to get there.
With age comes wisdom,
But, when you are old
No one wants to hear it!
So I am told.
But this pond will save me
It won’t let me die,
When I reach the age and when I say goodbye,
I’ll thank the pond for its water and kindness.