Opening Reception for Promoting Books and Objects: Empowering Newarkers Exhibit

NEWARK, N.J. - Jan. 2, 2019 - PRLog -- On Tuesday, January 15th from 6:00-8:00 PM, all are invited to gather at The Newark Public Library at 5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102, Centennial Hall, for the Opening Reception of the Promoting Books and Objects: Empowering Newarkers, an exhibition celebrating The Newark Public Library's 130th anniversary and The Newark Museum's 110th anniversary, at The Newark Public Library. Guest Speakers at the opening reception include Timothy J. Crist, President of The Newark Public Library Board of Trustees, and Ulysses Grant Dietz, Retired Chief Curator for The Newark Museum.

The idea of free public libraries, supported by local taxation and opened to all, became quite popular in the last quarter of the 19th century, at about the same time that museums were being founded as private associations with public missions. The Newark Public Library opened its doors in 1889, and twenty years later, The Newark Museum was founded in 1909. The relationship between these two institutions have always been close, primarily because the second director of the Library, John Cotton Dana, became the first director of the Museum. He believed fervently that some people learned through books – hence, the need for libraries – and others learned through objects – hence, the need for museums. Both institutions were indispensable for an advanced industrial democracy.

The Newark Public Library and The Newark Museum's Promoting Books and Objects: Empowering Newarkers exhibit will be on view from January 15th 2019 through August 31st 2019.

About The Newark Museum
Founded in 1909, The Newark Museum is the largest art and education institution in New Jersey and one of the most influential museums in the United States. Its renowned global art collections, supported by significant holdings of science, technology and natural history, rank 12th among North America's art museums. The Museum is dedicated to artistic excellence, education and community engagement with an overarching commitment to broadening and diversifying arts participation. As it has for over a century, the Museum responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse audiences it serves by providing exhibitions, programming and resources designed to improve and enrich people's lives. The Newark Museum, a not-for-profit museum of art and science, receives operating support from the City of Newark, the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State (a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts), the New Jersey Cultural Trust, the Prudential Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, the PSEG Foundation, the Phyllis Bolton Administrative Trust, the Wallace Foundation, and other corporations, foundations, and individuals. Funds for acquisitions and activities other than operations are provided by members and other contributors.

About The Newark Public Library
Since 1889, The Newark Public Library has been an anchor institution in Newark. It is New Jersey's most comprehensive public library, serving nearly 10,000 patrons per week and providing equal access for all to vast educational, cultural, literary, historical, and digital resources. Through its Main Library and seven branches, The Newark Public Library provides residents of Newark with reference help for job searches and accessing social services, ESL and computer classes, and family literacy programs. It also contains the New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center, the Charles F. Cummings New Jersey Information Center, and the James Brown African American Room. To learn how to become involved with The Newark Public Library, please visit our website www.npl.org; or call Spencer Scott, Chief Development Officer at 973-733-7735.