Bucks County Community College (BCCC) Library celebrated their 60th Anniversary and included a tribute to founding librarian Lester Minkel, whose family and friends were among the honored guests.
BCCC honored friends and family of Lester Minkel, the College’s first librarian, on September 29, 60 years to the day that the College and library opened. Minkel’s family members were in attendance: Minkel’s daughter Sue Minkel, granddaughter Alida Valle, grand-niece Sarah Kuchan, nephew Rick Kuchan, close family friends Jeanie Eisenberg and Wilma Kaiser (shown in feature picture left to right).
Librarian Kelly Deeny researched the life and legacy of Lester Minkel, the first librarian at Bucks County Community College, to commemorate the library’s 60th anniversary. Born in Iowa, Minkel broke from the family’s farming tradition to pursue an education, and established a reputation as a beloved educator, friend, and family man who loved to travel and cook.
CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
Deeny presented an overview of Minkel’s significant contributions, including the purchase of reference books displayed at the 1964 World’s Fair by the American Library Association, and partnering with the Bucks County Free Library.
CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
Archival photos are displayed at the library in Newtown to commemorate its 60th anniversary. Community members and alumni are invited to help identify students and staff depicted through the years. The library and college opened its doors on September 29, 1965, part of the burgeoning community college movement in the United States that opened access to higher education for thousands
CREDIT: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College
BCCC’s Library celebrated its 60th anniversary with cake – of course!