The private book collection and personal writings of prominent psychologist and feminist author Madonna Kolbenschlag will be the focus of West Virginia Universitys next Center for Womens Studies Fireside Chat at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in the Mountainlairs Shenandoah Room.

Dr. Kolbenschlag died suddenly in South Africa two years ago, said Barbara Howe, center director. After her death, her extensive 200-volume book collection was given to the womens studies unit and then turned over to the University Libraries.

“It is a marvelous collection of philosophical, spiritual and feminist literature and an excellent addition to the University Libraries,”Dr. Howe said.

These works will be the primary focus of the Thursday chat titled Beyond the Page: Reflections on and Readings from the Book Collection of Dr. Madonna Kolbenschlag.

Carroll Wetzel Wilkinson, WVU librarian and womens studies bibliographer, will share her experience of selecting books for the librariescollection from Kolbenschlags gift.

There also will be readings from both Kolbenschlags own works as well as from the books she donated to the libraries.

Judith Stitzel, founding director of the Center for Womens Studies and professor emerita of English and womens studies, will assist Wilkinson in the readings. Theresa Davis, WVU associate professor of theater, also will participate.

The event is free and open to the public. The Centers popular Fireside Chat seriesas well as other eventsare made possible by the WVU s Womens Studies Program Development Fund.

For more information, call 304-293-2339.