The Harry and Mary Green Memorial Library
Visit The Church Library
Phil and I
recently heard a talk about Psalms
Now by Leslie
Brandt. Not a translation but a paraphrasing of the psalms. Brandt, a
Lutheran pastor, hoped to help his congregation have a better
understanding of the psalms' meaning.
We both
started being negative about this effort but found ourselves quite
taken with Brandt’s work.
Have a
look—you might be dismayed and offended or surprised and delighted.
It is ‘on display’ in the Library.
Anne S., the Librarian
+ + + + + + + + + + +
History of the Harry and Mary Green Memorial
Library
at Mediator
A note found in the archives at the Mediator in May 2008 indicated that, "Sandy Burroughs and Irene Gossweiler completed cataloging the books in library early in 1965. The Frederick L. Hiller Memorial Library was located in the reception hall of the Parish House."
Some time later, the library was moved to a different location when some extensive renovations were made to the "old" part of the building and rooms were rearranged, walls being removed and new walls being built. The Commons Room and the library became part of this renovation. It then became the Harry Green Memorial Library.
"On Sunday, January 18, 1976, the Harry Green Memorial Library at Mediator was officially dedicated. Following the service at which former rector, The Rev. David B. Birney, was guest preacher, Mrs. Paul Hannaford, past president of the Church and Synagogue Library Association spoke at the opening of the library in the Parish House. The dedication took place at noon that day. Harry Green was a long-time member and senior warden-emeritus of the parish until his death in 1973." (Taken from an article in The Morning Call dated Saturday, January 17, 1976)
Upon the death of Mary, Harry's wife, her name was added to the library and it became the Harry and Mary Green Memorial Library. Photo portraits of both Harry and Mary are prominently displayed in the Library.
For many years Mrs. John (Grace) Liebig was the Librarian and it was through her efforts and the efforts of a very dedicated group of "Library Angels," as Grace called them, that the library was converted into the Dewey Decimal System. Grace was completely committed to the library and ran yearly reading contests for the youth of the parish, encouraging them to read books often in their young lives.
Upon Grace's death, talk about renovating the library
in memory of Grace began in January 1995. Her daughters, Sally and
Cynthia, (a licensed interior designer) contributed toward the
renovation. The work, including two new chandeliers, a new rug,
new furnishings, window treatments and painting of the library was
accomplished by August 1996. The renovation also included computers
for the "JFK Computer Club" when a grant was received from
the Pillsbury Corporation Foundation to finance a computer education
component to the after-school activities
The Computer Club program at JFK faded out and the computers are no longer seen in the library.