Murray Hill Library name enhanced in honor of late advocate

Posted on November 9, 2018 By Editor Articles, Neighborhood News

Bill Brinton

Practically on the eve of its 50th anniversary, the Murray Hill Library will be renamed the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library in honor of the late William Brinton, an Avondale attorney who spearheaded an effort in 2014 to create an independent library district and was the founder of three Friends of the Library organizations for the Murray Hill, Brentwood and Dallas Graham branches.

The legislation renaming the neighborhood library is just one of many honors Brinton achieved in his lifetime as a preeminent expert on the subject of City Charter amendments regarding billboards, City Council term limits, and the preservation of and/or mitigation for the removal of protected trees during development projects. A shareholder with the Rogers Towers law firm, Brinton passed away June 19, 2017 after a six-month battle with lung cancer.

“Bill did so much to promote our Friends of the Murray Hill Library and advocate for public libraries. His father Harry Brinton’s name is on the faceplate on the front of our Murray Hill Library since he was Library Director when the library was built in 1968, but his son Bill Brinton’s name will always remain in our hearts for his continuing work to support it,” said Judy Klein, a member of the Friends of the Murray Hill Library board of directors. “We would be honored to have his name on the front of our library.”

Celebrating 50 years in community

The Friends of the Murray Hill Library have planned a series of events in November leading up to the 50th anniversary celebration Saturday, Dec. 15.

An exhibit at the library, 918 Edgewood Avenue S., will open Saturday, Nov. 4, featuring artists from the Murray Hill Art Center. It will remain open through December and is the first art exhibit at the library since the Friends of the Murray Hill Library completed installation of the picture display system on the large wall over the laptop bar in the center of the library.

Also taking place during November will be two Wayback Wednesday events.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. there will be a showing of the movie “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a family movie which opened on December 18, 1968, the same day the Murray Hill Library opened. Everyone is encouraged to come in their pajamas and refreshments will be served.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. a program entitled “Beginning of the Murray Hill Library 50 Years Ago!” will tell the story behind the building of the Murray Hill Library in 1968 using newspaper articles from that era.

All events are free and open to the public.