Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources announces “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, as the 2023 “One Book, One Community” selection.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan 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, who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation.

As part of this 2023 One Book season, one of the authors of “The Personal Librarian”, Victoria Christopher Murray, will be speaking on

Friday March 3 at 10:30 a.m.

at Suncoast Technical College Conference Center

4445 Career Lane, North Port

(Adjoined to Shannon Staub Library)

And again that evening

Friday March 3 at 7 p.m.

at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota

No Registration Required, first come, first seated.

For more information on Library programs please visit www.scgov.net/library ,and for more information about One Book please visit www.scgov.net/onebook.