The Personal Librarian Book Discussion

Tuesday, April 8, 2025
2:00 PM  - 3:00 PM
Glen Rock Public Library 

Join us to read and discuss The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. In collaboration with the Borough of Glen Rock’s visit to the Morgan Library special exhibit which is the subject of the book.

The remarkable, little-known story of Belle da Costa Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian—who became one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she kept in order to make her dreams come true, from New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and acclaimed author Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Titles will be available at the Circulation Desk (starting March 20). The eBook and eAudio of this title is also available on the Libby app.

Registration is not required.

Information from: https://www.glenrocklibrary.org/glen-rock-library-events/tea-youshouldbe-nadzz-wg29m-846ta