"The Librarian" tells the story of Belle da Costa Greene, an exceptional Black woman distinguished by her intellect, style, and intelligence, who shares with her mother the trait of protecting her family and heritage by embracing her white identity in a hateful racist world. Belle da Costa Greene, in her twenties, is hired by wealthy J.P. Morgan to oversee a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and works of art at his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Joining Mr. Morgan's personal librarian, Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful figures in the world of art and books, distinguished by her extraordinary artistic taste and her skillful negotiation to win auctions of antiques and manuscripts. But Belle has a secret she has been careful to keep secret: her real name is not Belle da Costa Greene, but Belle Marion Greener. She was originally the daughter of Richard Greener, the first black graduate of Harvard University, who was known as a fierce advocate for equality.