In Gilded Age, New York, a glamorous, self-possessed young woman becomes an influential figure in wealthy social circles.

Known throughout the city, photographed by the press, she works with one of the richest men in the country,

collecting some of the world's rarest books and manuscripts for his personal collection.

Sounds kind of like the plot for a movie, right?

But this story is true.

Belda Costa Green is a singularity.

Belle Green is the most fascinating librarian in American history.

Belle Green and her story can teach us so much.

She really has an important legacy within the history of librarianship because she was one of the few women in this field.

She's really someone who, in every sense of the word, was a trailblazer.

You might not know that name, Belle de Costa Green, but the Morgan Library and Museum in New York is trying to change that.

The library was originally built by Jay Pierpont Morgan, one of the richest and

most powerful bankers in the early 20th century. It was originally intended to house J.P. Morgan's

personal collection. Today, it houses a one-of-a-kind collection of medieval writings, rare books,

and illuminated manuscripts. That's thanks in large part to Belle da Costa Green.

She became the librarian for the collection in 1905 and in 24 was appointed director of the Morgan Library.

Oh, influential. I mean, it's, we could go on forever with, I mean, everything she touched and created.

Erica Chalella is a curator for a librarian's legacy.

A new exhibit that's part of the Morgan's 100th anniversary celebrations.

It traces Beldecost to Green's life and her lasting impact on the role of libraries as public spaces for everyone, not just the educated elite.

Our exhibition programs, our lecture programs, our collections that we do today, we can trace

it all back to her becoming director and believing that this institution could be one-of-a-kind

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