Following an October 2020 City Council Resolution and approval by the BPL Board of Trustees, the second-floor community room in the South End Library has been named, “The Marleen Nienhuis Community Room,” in honor of the Friends of the South End Library’s founder.  The move was initiated by FOSEL’s current board of directors upon the conclusion of Marleen’s tenure with the organization last fall, as a way to express appreciation for her vision and leadership over the years.  As indicated in the Resolution, FOSEL has succeeded in making the South End Library a more relevant community resource under Marleen’s tutelage.  Her accomplishments are many, from establishing a variety of popular programs at the Library, such as The South End Writes author series, annual Easter Egg hunts for neighborhood kids, and summer jazz and blues concerts, to transforming the Park into a welcoming community green space with a central plaza, new perennial plantings, a butterfly garden, and an automated irrigation system.  The Resolution also acknowledged Marleen’s work with the City and the BPL in planning the recent improvements to the Library’s interior, and in teeing up the branch for a full renovation over the next few years.

The final stage of the commemorative tribute was completed last week with the installation of elegant silver lettering on the wall.  Although the pandemic has kept Marleen from visiting the newly named space, she expressed her surprise and gratitude for the gesture, noting that she was “deeply touched” and calling the lettering “gorgeous .... so simple and stylish.”  FOSEL looks forward to the day in the not-too-distant-future when all will be welcomed back into the Library to see it for themselves.

The current leadership of FOSEL is thrilled to recognize Marleen’s hard work on behalf of our mission and community in this way.  As stated by board member Marilyn Davillier, “What a wonderful thing to see after all this time of [her] tireless and many contributions to the Library.  [She] has enhanced and enriched a worthy institution.  We are all very grateful.”  And Advisory Board member Maura Harrington summed it up well, calling the naming of the room “a fitting tribute to a visionary whose commitment, persistence and hard work made extraordinary plans a reality.”

For more about Marleen’s contributions to the Library and the neighborhood, click HERE.