Carole D. Fredericks Collection Enters the American Library in Paris

After extensive remodeling, the American Library in Paris celebrated its grand reopening during its Fall Open House on Sunday, September 25, 2016. Guided tours of the new spaces were conducted by Library Director Charles Trueheart and architect Lia Kiladis. Treasures from the library's archives were on display in the conference room. Tutorials for digital resources, face painting and story time for children, a voter registration station, and much more were offered during the day.

Architect Lia Kiladis and Library Director Charles Trueheart
Images and collage © Discover Paris!
A prime feature of the open house was the Carole D. Fredericks Collection, which was recently donated to the library by the Carole D. Fredericks Foundation. It consists of activity books with lessons, music videos on DVDs, and albums on CDs that serve to teach Anglophone students to speak French. These high quality French language materials engage students at all grade levels, teach language skills, and promote the study of Francophone cultures. They support the Foundation's goal of emphasizing the advantages of second-language learning and cross-cultural communication skills.

Carole D. Fredericks Collection Display Table
© Discover Paris!
Carole Fredericks was a powerful singer who wove the passionate threads of blues, gospel and R&B into a uniquely French tapestry. Ms. Fredericks moved from Springfield, MA to Paris in 1979 to pursue a singing career. She began as a background singer and featured artist supporting stars such as Serge Gainsbourg, France Gall, Michel Berger, Johnny Hallyday, Gilbert Bécaud, Mylène Farmer, Mireille Mathieu, and many others. But it was her breakout performance with the stellar music trio FREDERICKS GOLDMAN JONES (Jean-Jacques GOLDMAN and Michael JONES) and subsequent appearances with LES ENFOIRES for Restos du Coeur that cemented her fame with the French public.

Ms. Fredericks lived in France for twenty-two years. Her sudden death in 2001 propelled her sister, Connie Fredericks-Malone and French teacher Nancy Gadbois, in cooperation with the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), to transform Ms. Fredericks’ biography and musical legacy into innovative French lessons for English-speaking students.

Connie Fredericks-Malone and her husband, Dr. James F. Malone, were present at the festivities to present and answer questions about the Collection and the services the Foundation provides. Dr. Malone is a veteran College and Career Readiness Counselor whose expertise is essential to the other goal of the Foundation, which is "to provide students with an effective approach to career and college readiness planning skills so they understand how to author their own career narratives."

Connie Fredericks-Malone and Dr. James Malone at display table
© Discover Paris!

Presenting the collection
© Discover Paris!

Learning about the collection
© Discover Paris!
The Carole Fredericks Collection also includes the complete Fredericks Goldman Jones catalog of albums and music videos.

The Library holds the Collection with its course materials. For more information, contact External Relations Manager Pauline Lemasson at

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