The Personal Librarian

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! A Good Morning America* Book Club Pick! Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! Named a Notable Book of the Year by the Washington Post! “Historical fiction at its best!”* A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and 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 in New York City society 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 create 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 she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Hired by J.P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library, Belle da Costa Greene becomes one of the most powerful women in New York despite the dangerous secret she keeps.

The incredible shift in the provision of library services resulting from innovations such as online resources, mobile technologies, tablet computers, and MOOCs and hybrid courses makes it more challenging than ever for academic librarians to connect students with the information they need. Enter the Personal Librarian, a flexible concept that focuses on customizing information literacy by establishing a one-on-one relationship between librarian and student from enrollment through graduation. In this book the editors, with decades of library instruction and academic library experience between them, and their contributors Define personal librarianship and trace how it has developed within the broader context of the work that librarians doDemonstrate its radical potential to impact student learning, retention, and graduation ratesDiscuss how the concept relates to embedded librarianship and academic library liaisons, and the role of faculty and staffIllustrate how personalization can be supported by academic support centers, IT services, Student Affairs, and other college and university departmentsUse case studies from a variety of institutions to show how to develop and implement a Personal Librarian program By prioritizing relationships over merely providing access to information resources, the Personal Librarian can improve services while ensuring that students have what they need to learn and grow. This book shows how to make it happen.

Enter the Personal Librarian, a flexible concept that focuses on customizing information literacy by establishing a one-on-one relationship between librarian and student from enrollment through graduation

Experienced authors describe all aspects of a personal librarian program, including potential campus partners, diverse student populations, marketing approaches, technology integration, various assessment methods, and common pitfalls and how to avoid them. In order to get the most out of their research, students need to understand the depth of resources and services available to them. Personal librarian programs help students—especially new ones—to feel welcome in the library and comfortable asking for assistance. They provide enhanced support and serve as students' point of contact to help them build the information literacy skills necessary to successfully navigate their academic path. Personal Librarians: Building Relationships for Student Success focuses on specific ways to connect with and to engage first-year and other new-to-campus students. The authors provide concrete guidance, informed by interviews with other librarians who have successfully implemented such programs, for librarians wishing to begin or expand programs of their own. Personal librarian programs provide opportunities for the proactive to build relationships that grow student confidence as future needs arise—and the authors, who coordinate personal librarian programs at their own institutions, demonstrate how well they work.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is employed by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly set up Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most influential people in the art and book world, well known for her flawless taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. But Belle has a secret, one she must conceal at all cost. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but as Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a popular advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't black 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 lady, well known 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.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict And Victoria Christopher Murray The plot revolves around Belle da Costa Greene, a knowledgeable librarian who secures a prestigious position in the elite circles of art and rare book collecting. However, what remains unknown to her colleagues is that Belle is actually a Black woman passing as white. She works under J.P. Morgan, a prominent figure in the field, and faces challenges and prejudices as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Through flashbacks, the reader learns about Belle's background. Her parents, Richard and Genevieve, had promising lives initially but were forced to leave South Carolina due to racial tensions. Genevieve, determined to secure a better future for her family, passed them off as white when they relocated to New York. Belle becomes the centerpiece of her mother's ambitions. In the present, Belle establishes herself in the art collecting scene, using her femininity and unconventional appearance to divert attention from her racial identity. She faces challenges and threats, including from Anne, J.P.'s daughter, who questions rumors about Belle's background. Belle also develops an emotional bond with Bernard Berenson, and eventually decides to pursue a relationship with him despite J.P.'s disapproval. Belle faces the pressure of maintaining her white identity while navigating sexism in her profession. She proves her expertise during a trip to Europe, outsmarting experienced dealers and collectors and solidifying her reputation. However, Belle realizes that traditional notions of marriage and motherhood may not be viable options for her. The story explores Belle's journey as she confronts issues of racial identity, gender bias, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment in a society filled with prejudice and limitations. Belle's encounter with Bernard in Europe during a supposed work trip turns disastrous when she becomes pregnant, and Bernard refuses to accompany her to a London abortion clinic. Back home, Belle grows weary of pretending to be white and becomes increasingly reckless while dealing with her own heartbreak. Her relationship with J.P. reaches a breaking point when she rejects his advances. Belle finds solace and healing in reconnecting with her father. Here is a Preview of What You Will Get: ⁃ A Detailed Introduction ⁃ A Comprehensive Chapter by Chapter Summary ⁃ Etc Get a copy of this summary and learn about the book.

Experienced authors describe all aspects of a personal librarian program, including potential campus partners, diverse student populations, marketing approaches, technology integration, various assessment methods, and common pitfalls and how to avoid them." Provides librarians with the background they need in personal librarian programming variations in order to implement a native program that is targeted to local goals, needs, and resources." Covers various best practices that work toward implementing or improving outreach efforts through relationship development, communications efforts, and programming." Clearly ties content to university goals, library goals and services, and student success.