A Conversation with Madelyn Helling

Join us on Wednesday, March 19 for an up-close-and-personal interview with Madelyn Helling, our former County Librarian. Madelyn came a long way to get to Nevada County. She was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota where hard work and plain speaking are the rule. She was a girl who loved books and reading and still remembers reading a Reader’s Digest adage: “When you are old, you have only your memories; it’s up to you to build good memories.” She took this to heart.

After graduating from the University of Northern Colorado, Madelyn relocated to Denver and eventually to San Francisco, working for United Air Lines and Air France, among others. Her time spent in the business world taught her the importance of focusing on pragmatic concerns.

Eventually, Madelyn returned to her first love, books, and completed her Master’s Degree in Library Science at the University of California in Berkeley. She jumped into this “wonderful” new world, and soon she was the Administrative Assistant to the San Francisco Library’s head librarian. Not much later, she was ready to become a head librarian in her own right. An opening in Nevada County brought her here to our county when there were only two small libraries in the entire county. Madelyn saw the need for expanding and modernizing the county library system, providing a library in Truckee, and preserving the priceless Gold Rush heritage materials at the Doris Foley Library.

With the help of supportive county administrators like Gene Albaugh, she spearheaded the effort to win a federal grant for matching monies to accomplish all this and more. It’s not surprising that our library at the Rood Center is named for her, but she credits the people of Nevada County for their strong support for their libraries, passing several funding measures by over 70 percent in recent years!

Today, Madelyn is retired and busier than ever. She is very involved with the League of Women Voters, the Nevada County Railroad Museum, the Nevada County Historical Society, Friends of the Library, and other worthy causes. And, she has many wonderful memories…

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Newcomers and Guests are always Welcome!

March 19, 2014

Social/networking hour begins at 5:30 P.M. Dinner at 6 P.M.
Cost is $19.00

NOTE THE NEW MEETING LOCATION: Summer Thyme’s (new location) 231 Colfax Ave. Grass Valley, CA 95945

DINNER RESERVATIONS FOR GUESTS MUST BE PREPAID USING PAYPAL, accessible from our website sidebar or www.bpwnevadacounty.org/monthly-member-dinner-rsvp-payment/ (A PayPal account is not necessary to reserve your space.)

It is preferred that BPW members also use the online prepay method: www.bpwnevadacounty.org/monthly-member-dinner-rsvp-payment/

All reservations must be received by Sunday, March 16th.

For more information please contact Phyllis Orzalli or Suzanne Doyle.

March Menu:

 Polenta Lasagna

Organic Baby Greens Salad with Mediterranean dressing

Gluten Free & regular bread with butter

Panna Cotta with Fresh Berries

Coffee and Tea Bar: Regular & Decaf, Hot Water Urn & tea bags