MBS Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Unveil Renovated Anderson Library

On Tuesday, November 5, MBS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the renovated Anderson Library. This beloved and well-used space has been transformed by an incredible $1 million renovation made possible by a very generous gift from an alumna of The Beard School, Mrs. Elizabeth Agate Jamieson '48. Head of School, Liz Morrison, explains, "Just as Morristown Beard has an impact on our students, our alumni continue to have a tremendous, supportive impact on the School. Mrs. Jamieson and her daughter, Ellen, not only made a most generous philanthropic gift, but shared their vision and provided direction on the design, fabric, furniture choices, and color schemes as we reimagined this space."

This remarkable renovation gives a nod to the past while also transforming the experience of today’s student body. 3,500 square feet of space has been changed to create a warm, comfortable, and inviting community space that enhances the love of reading and learning for generations of students to come.

From the relocated entrance and inviting lounge area to the glass classroom and individual study rooms, every inch of the space has been thoughtfully and carefully designed with Mrs. Jamieson’s attention to detail at every turn. There is a new teaching area with glass walls to host the 200-plus workshops that take place in the library across every department and school divisions. There are also new bookshelves on casters, allowing for flexible use of the space and for the expansion of our collection. Like everything we do at Morristown Beard, this project has been intentional and student-centered. We would like to recognize the work of two of our seniors, Indiya Weinmann and Kimi Freeman, who worked closely with Ms. Salge, Ms. Meehan, Ms. Patterson, and Mr. Lovelock to research and visit libraries and meet with our team of designers so that the final renovation would reflect Mrs. Jamieson’s wishes but also the perspective and needs of our students.

This project was a reminder that when you design something with students and faculty at the table, it helps ensure that our values are woven into the very fabric of the space. Salge further explains, "Community-building is at the heart of the library, a dedicated area that our students refer to as cozy yet scholarly. It is physically and metaphorically a soft place to land, whether it's a random Monday morning when advisories gather to discuss Summer Learning topics or a Wellness Wednesday when the entire school is invited to join in activities." Thank you also to our talented designers Bridget Soyka-Smith and Julianne Daly, who worked tirelessly and carefully to curate a renovation that would reflect our community’s values and vision.