HIU Dedicates Children's Story Grove in Memory of Beloved Librarian Marie Rovero

On Thursday, June 11, Hartford International University gathered in the library to dedicate a new space created for the youngest members of its community: the Children's Story Grove, a corner for reading, drawing, and play established in memory of longtime library staff member Marie Rovero and in honor of MT Winter.

Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and trustees filled the room alongside many members of Marie's family for the brief ceremony, which transformed MT Winter's corner of the library into a gathering place for children and their parents.

The project began with MAP alum Hannah Belsky '25, a facilitator and peacebuilding practitioner, who approached library staff several months ago with an idea. Over the years, Hannah had collected children's books representing diverse backgrounds and experiences, and she wanted to find them a home where they could do more than sit on a shelf. She recalled how meaningful it was, as a student and parent, to bring her own children into HIU's community life, including a memory of her daughter Quinn meeting Marie in the library stacks. To mark the dedication, Hannah and her children sang a song about peace that the children had learned in school.

Director of Library Services Karla Grafton, who introduced Hannah and worked alongside her to gather donated books and supplies, described Marie's four decades of welcoming everyone who walked through the library doors, including the children of students, staff, and faculty. Marie was remembered as a generous colleague whose expertise in the library's archives was matched by her genuine curiosity about the people she served. She was especially devoted to helping international students feel at home, and she found particular joy in genealogical research, helping friends and colleagues trace their own family histories and discover connections across backgrounds.

Marie's sister, Jane Boston, also spoke, sharing family memories from the months since Marie's passing, including a quote the family has embraced: "Remember me with smiles, not tears, for all the joys, for all the years." She and her sister Carol Martinchek donated a copy of The Invisible String to the new collection, a book about the lasting bonds between loved ones, and thanked the library staff and Hannah for honoring Marie in a space so connected to her life's work.

The Rev. Dr. David Grafton closed the ceremony with a reading and a blessing, asking that the space nurture wisdom, creativity, and healing for all who learn, read, and play there.

A reception with refreshments followed the dedication, giving attendees time to visit, share memories of Marie, and see the new Story Grove for the first time.