We love our members! In fact, we love them so much that we want you to get to know them and share in our community. In this series, Member Spotlight, the French Library introduces you to a member via our blog. This edition we are featuring Pierre and Natalie Sorel, family members who love the FCC library and wandering the streets of Montreal! Read on to learn more about them...
What is your connection to the French language and/or francophone culture?
I grew up outside of Paris and Natalie has been immersed in the French language through attendance at bilingual schools since childhood."We grew so attached to the Center that I became a Trustee and Natalie volunteered for a summer project to broaden membership appeal across different francophone groups."
Why did you decide to become a member of the French Library?
We have been members for over ten years. We were initially attracted by the fantastic library and its wide selection of books catering to all ages and topics, its illustrated children's books, and literary authors. Natalie’s favorite book as a child was the Les Barbapapas series.What do you like about being a member at the Center? Do you have any favorite classes or events that you have participated in?
In addition to the library, we have enjoyed participation in many events. We have been regular attendees at the Bastille Day street parties, as well as library book sales, and many cultural events ranging from art exhibits and concerts to conferences and panel debates, author visits, and culinary adventures. We grew so attached to the Center that I became a Trustee and Natalie volunteered for a summer project to broaden membership appeal across different francophone groups.If you could travel to any Francophone country, what would it be and why?
We have enjoyed visiting Quebec and appreciate the deep natural beauty of its parks and lakes, as well as the buzz and restaurants of Montréal and Québec City (our favorite restaurant in Montreal is Au pied de cochon), and want to go back. Separately, we’ve never visited Sénégal, but would love to discover it some day. Reading Senegalese authors like Mohamed Mbougar Sarr has stimulated our interest in its people and culture.Interested in sharing your story or becoming a member?
Contact our Membership Manager, Natalie Collet, at ncollet@frenchlibrary.org.Check out our other member profiles here.
Natalie Collet
Former Membership Manager
From the Midwest, Natalie is a Francophile at heart. Her interest in French started when studying ballet and the language and culture entranced her through her student years. She became involved with the - Alliance - in the suburbs of Chicago after she spent an unforgettable year teaching English in a French high school near Bordeaux. She is happy to join the team in Boston and work with the members to provide them with unique opportunities, quality programming, and a community through French!
