Library: West Acton Citizens’ Library Book Disscussion Group

Location: West Acton Citizens’ Library | 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton MA 01720

The Personal Librarian By: Marie Benedict & 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.

Copies of the book will be available at the West Acton Citizens’ Library.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. Please email actadultservices@minlib.net with a description of the accommodation you will need and include a way we can contact you if we need more information.