Carroll Odhner in a Mbuti Pygmies camp in Ituri
Forest, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1974.
It’s been a blessing to
be able to work in what
I consider the most
important library in
the world – with its
precious collection
representing the Lord’s
new dispensation.
Carroll also had the opportunity to
use her teaching skills during this time
by providing instruction in French at
the Academy of the New Church Boys
School and at Bryn Athyn College.
Much has been accomplished in
the Swedenborg Library under Carroll’s
leadership. The fund raising for, planning
and construction of the award-winning
library building that we have today is
probably her most outstanding achievement, since nothing else would have
been possible without that important beginning.
The literal crowning of that effort came in April 1988 when, through much
work, diplomacy and planning, Carroll hosted Queen Silvia of Sweden, who
made a visit to Bryn Athyn to dedicate the new library.
Among the many projects to improve and expand the library collections
and services that Carroll has spearheaded are: implementing an automated
library management system; integrating informational literacy into the college
core curriculum; increasing vault space for special collections; and adding a
branch library in Stockholm, Sweden.
In addition, she has been central to the growth of the Swedenborgiana
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