Bozeman Public Library Foundation Honors Barbara and Jack Kligerman with this year’s Cornerstone Award
Dedicated volunteers Barbara and Jack Kligerman will receive the 6th annual Cornerstone Award from the Bozeman Public Library Foundation for their tireless library volunteerism and generous contribution to promoting literary works. This prestigious award will be presented at the Foundation’s Cornerstone Celebration, April 12, 6:30 pm, at the Bozeman Public Library.
The Cornerstone Celebration will be a big 450th birthday bash for Shakespeare during his birthday month of April. The annual fundraiser is hosted on the Library’s mezzanine, this year transformed into a Shakespearian themed environment. There will be a special appearance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, literary entertainment by Bozeman High School Speech students, a Shakespeare reading by the Kligermans, calligraphy demonstrations, and Elizabethan-period music. The Bountiful Table will provide food based on recipes from Shakespeare’s time; cider from Lockhorn Cider House will be served by celebrity bartender “Falstaff,” and The Country Bookshelf will be selling Shakespeare themed books with a portion of sales going to the Library Foundation. All funds raised during the evening go directly to support programs and services provided by the Bozeman Public Library.
The Kligermans moved to Bozeman nearly 12 years ago, and have been active in the Library from the get-go. Both are members of the Library Book Club, Jack volunteers in Technical Services and Administration, and was recently voted in as a board member of the Friends of the Library. As a dynamic duo, they have spent hours and hours organizing and participating in readings at the Library featuring literary greats such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain. Through their work, both Barbara and Jack have brought a new appreciation of classic authors to a receptive audience.
Jack’s career as a professor and past Chair of the Department of English at Lehman College in New York, and Barbara’s study at Syracuse in theatre, acting, stage design, and eventually a career in Audiology, brings forth their valued insights, encouragement and promotion of speech and reading.
“Jack is able to reach people with a warm wit when discussing literary greats,” said Bozeman Library Director Susan Gregory. “This ability allows people of all ages and backgrounds to feel at home during a program. He is in love with his subject, and it shows.”
Jack has participated in poetry readings, has read excerpts from banned books, and contributes to other local book clubs, as well as writes the notes for Bozeman Symphony Orchestra concerts. Barbara applies her knowledge of the theatre to enthusiastic readings of poetry and excerpts from various literary works. The theatre always remained a passion of the Kligermans and when living in London or visiting England, they spent as much time as possible attending performances, particularly of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
“Barbara and Jack are very much a ‘couplet’ and deserve to be recognized jointly for all of their contributions to the Library and our community,” said Foundation Director Paula K. Beswick.
Past Cornerstone winners have been David Quammen, nationally acclaimed science writer; Mary Jane DiSanti, former owner of The Country Bookshelf; George Cole, radio producer and personality; writer Alan Kesselheim for his commitment to the Bozeman Public Library, and Jan Zauha, MSU Professor and Renne Library Reference Librarian.
Tickets for the Cornerstone Celebration are $75/person for $125/for two. For tickets, please call Sarah at 582-2425. The Library Foundation enjoys the generous support of Diana Blank, Merrill Lynch, Big Sky Western Bank, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Winegardner’s Wines, and Allegra, allowing all ticket sales and raffle/silent auction items to benefit the Library.
The mission of the Bozeman Public Library Foundation is to enhance the quality of services, programs and community events offered by the Bozeman Public Library, benefitting the residents and communities it serves, while advocating for private and public support of the Library.
For more information, please contact Paula Beswick, Director, Bozeman Public Library Foundation, at 582-2426.
Additional Shakespeare programs in April:
Barbara and Jack have organized two readings in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday: April 9, Will Shakespeare and Friends: Songs and Sonnets from the English Renaissance, and April 23 Much Ado About Something: Readings from Shakespeare’s Comedies, both at 6:30pm in the Library’s Community Room.
