| Remembering Joanne D. Austin, long time Morris Public Library Director and Volunteer |
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We are saddened to report that Joanne Austin died on September 14, 2009. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Apley N. Austin Jr., her two daughters Susan Anderson of Markesan, Wisconsin, Phoebe Katzin of Litchfield, and 5 grandchildren. Joanne graduated in 1947 with a BS from the University of Connecticut, School of Business. Joanne Austin was a major promoter of the Morris Public Library, giving freely of her time and energy, beginning in the late 1960’s as a volunteer helping to professionally catalog what was at that time a moderately organized collection of books. She became the Library Director in 1972 and was instrumental in the growth and development of the Library for the next 20 years. Under Joanne’s guidance the Morris Public Library became a friendly, welcoming place, catering to the tastes and interests of its patrons. She had a real knack for recommending just the right book and with very limited resources, helping the children of Morris find the information they needed for school projects in the days before the Internet. Joanne helped to design the new library space in the Town Hall and was so well organized that the day the library moved from the basement of the firehouse to its new home, by the end of the day every book was in place and the library was ready to go. After retiring as Director in 1992, Joanne stayed on at the Library to assist her replacement with the transition, and she was called into service in 2002 and 2007 to fill the gap between Library Directors and assist the new ones. Joanne was instrumental in helping the Morris Public Library become the valuable community resource it is today, and she was always ready to step in and lend a hand when needed. Joanne was also a very active member of the Morris community, serving for many years on the Planning Commission, as Secretary of the Bantam Lake Yacht Club, a member of the local chapter of The Salvation Army and a long time member of The Friendly Service group in Morris. Her family has requested that memorial contributions in Joanne’s name be sent to the Morris Public Library. |