LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 45th Anniversary of the Lang-
ston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center of the Queens Library

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across the great State
of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 45th Anniversary of the Langston Hughes Community Library and
Cultural Center of the Queens Library, to be celebrated on Saturday,
April 26, 2014, in Corona, Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center
was, from the very beginning, a unique working partnership between a
community-based non-profit organization and a large metropolitan public
library system; it set a new standard for providing library services to
urban communities; and
WHEREAS, Named after renowned poet laureate, Langston Hughes, the
Queens Library's Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center
first opened its doors on April 7, 1969; it was conceived by local resi-
dents and the Library Action Committee (LAC) of Corona-East Elmhurst,
Inc., which was a part of the local Community Corporation, an anti-po-
verty program in New York City; and
WHEREAS, The LAC conducted a survey which pointed to a need for a
library in Corona-East Elmhurst that would provide a black heritage
collection not solely for local residents but for all of Queens County;
Elinor DesVerney Sinnette, an active parent and New York Library employ-
ee outlined the concept of "a community library with lots of books about
the history and culture of Black people... that showed films and had
educational and cultural programs on subjects of interest to the commu-
nity"; and
WHEREAS, The LAC submitted a proposal to create the Langston Hughes
Community Library to Queens Library Director Harold W. Tucker, who
successfully sought funding for this creative idea through the new
Library Services and Construction Act; although most projects of its
kind were typically funded for three to five years, this "experiment in
community control" was approved for funding from April 1969 through
October 1987; and
WHEREAS, During this time, the LAC was responsible for day to day
library operations and budget management under the auspices of its Board
of Directors and with Queens Library oversight; it also hired local
residents to work in the library as an opportunity for job training and
experience; and
WHEREAS, In 1985, as a result of a shift in federal funding, a new
relationship was established between the LAC and the Queens Library
system; Queens Library would be responsible for regular library oper-
ations, budgeting and staffing, while the LAC would be responsible for
the operations of the after school Homework Assistance Program and the
Cultural Arts Program; in 1987, full library status within the Queens
Library was granted; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural
Center moved to a beautiful, new two-story facility that featured state-
of-the-art technology, a 150-seat multi-purpose auditorium, an art
gallery and homework center, among numerous other improvements; it now
hosts numerous concerts, exhibitions, and celebrations, including an
annual tribute to Langston Hughes; and

WHEREAS, Today, this esteemed cornerstone of the community is also
home to the Black Heritage Reference Center of Queens County, the larg-
est circulating collection of material on African American history in
New York City and the largest non-academic collection in New York State;
and
WHEREAS, Many of the experimental ideas designed to attract new read-
ers during the library's formative years can be found today in libraries
throughout the country; they were one of the first libraries to circu-
late graphic novels, and also one of the first to use face-out presenta-
tion of books; and
WHEREAS, The Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center was
also one of the first libraries to formalize an after school homework
assistance program for school age children, under the direction of a
licensed teacher, while employing paid high school and college students
as tutors; this practice can now be found in many libraries nation-wide;
and
WHEREAS, In February 2013, Langston Hughes Community Library and
Cultural Center was added to United for Libraries LITERARY LANDMARKS
REGISTER, recognized as the first public institution in America named
for Langston Hughes; it is also the recipient of a New York State Gover-
nor's Arts Award and myriad other accolades; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by this remarkable institution is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the library over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Langston Hughes Community Library
and Cultural Center's superbly-skilled staff, whose involvement is and
has always been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their
efforts on behalf of the library and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Langston
Hughes Community Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth,
as it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 45th Anniversary of the Langston Hughes Community
Library and Cultural Center of the Queens Library; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center of
the Queens Library.