Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
One Book, One Glendale: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
This hybrid event was held Thursday, June 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm at the Central Library and Online
One Book, One Glendale is a community read-along which is part of our series, Be the Change: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism.
Be The Change events build collective understanding of systemic racism, elevate the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and inspire our communities to be the change. The series is generously sponsored by the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission through funding from the Urban Art Fund.
Enjoy the conversation with The Personal Librarian authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray and special guest, Dr. Jesse Erickson from the Morgan Library with California African American Museum’s Research Librarian Denise L. McIver.
In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built 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 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 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.
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To find the books in this video check out our catalog: glac.bibliocommons.com
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We have now reopened all of our branches for limited in-person services!
We're excited to offer physical collections, study/work spaces, and technology in a manner that is convenient, safe, and in compliance with State and County public health guidelines.
Visit In-Person Services page (eglendalelac.org/in-person-services) for hours of operation and additional information. We hope to see you soon!
--
About Contactless Pickup: eglendalelac.org/contactless-pickup
--
Be The Change Series
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism
eglendalelac.org/bethechange
--
To learn more about Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and to visit our virtual library, go to: eGlendaleLAC.org
Follow us on Social Media: @myGlendaleLAC
Instagram: instagram.com/myglendaleLAC
Facebook: facebook.com/myglendaleLAC
Twitter: twitter.com/myglendaleLAC
To speak to a Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Librarian, give us a call at 818-548-2021 or send us an email to LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov
One Book, One Glendale: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
This hybrid event was held Thursday, June 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm at the Central Library and Online
One Book, One Glendale is a community read-along which is part of our series, Be the Change: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism.
Be The Change events build collective understanding of systemic racism, elevate the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and inspire our communities to be the change. The series is generously sponsored by the Glendale Arts & Culture Commission through funding from the Urban Art Fund.
Enjoy the conversation with The Personal Librarian authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray and special guest, Dr. Jesse Erickson from the Morgan Library with California African American Museum’s Research Librarian Denise L. McIver.
In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. Pierpont Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built 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 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 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.
--
To find the books in this video check out our catalog: glac.bibliocommons.com
--
We have now reopened all of our branches for limited in-person services!
We're excited to offer physical collections, study/work spaces, and technology in a manner that is convenient, safe, and in compliance with State and County public health guidelines.
Visit In-Person Services page (eglendalelac.org/in-person-services) for hours of operation and additional information. We hope to see you soon!
--
About Contactless Pickup: eglendalelac.org/contactless-pickup
--
Be The Change Series
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism
eglendalelac.org/bethechange
--
To learn more about Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and to visit our virtual library, go to: eGlendaleLAC.org
Follow us on Social Media: @myGlendaleLAC
Instagram: instagram.com/myglendaleLAC
Facebook: facebook.com/myglendaleLAC
Twitter: twitter.com/myglendaleLAC
To speak to a Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Librarian, give us a call at 818-548-2021 or send us an email to LibraryInfo@glendaleca.gov
