2012 Literary Landmarks

  • Diocesan House, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, N.Y. Madeleine L'Engle (1918-2007), Newbery Award-winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, served the as cathedral librarian and participated in the cathedral's spiritual life for more than 40 years. Partners: Empire State Center for the Book, The Children's Book Council, Farrar Straus Giroux/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. Dedicated Nov. 29, 2012.

  • Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, Cleveland Ohio. Best known for his American Splendor series, Harvey Pekar (1939-2010) spent countless days at Heights Libraries, working on stories that celebrated his hometown and the common man. Pekar's efforts raisied the comic book to a recognized genre. Dedicated Oct. 14, 2012. Partners: Heights Libraries, Friends of the Heights Libraries.

  • Elihu Burritt Library, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain Conn. Elihu Burritt (1810-1879), a New Britain native noted for being a self-taught linguist who studied while he worked at the forge, was an ardent abolitionist, an internationally renowned peace activist, and a prolific writer. He was appointed consul to Birmingham, England, by President Lincoln. Many of Burritt's original works are found in this library. Dedicated Oct. 11, 2012. Partners: The Skinner, Cargill, and Bradley families, descendants of Elihu Burritt.

  • Room 222, Strater Hotel, Durango, Colo. Louis L'Amour (1908-1988) is renowned for his Western fiction. He wrote many novels and short stories in room 222 of the Strater Hotel, inspired by the strains of the honky tonk piano rising from the Diamond Belle Saloon below. Along with many other visits, for more than 10 years L'Amour, and often his family, spent the month of August in the hotel. Dedicated Aug. 25, 2012. Partners: Friends of the Durango Public Library, Rod and Laurie Barker, the Strater Hotel.

  • Hackley Public Library, Muskegon, Mich. Children's book author and storyteller Verna Aardema Vugteveen (1911-2000) used the Hackley Public Library to research folk tales from various cultures, which she rewrote as children's stories. She credited Hackley librarians for their invaluable help with her research. An elementary school teacher for more than 25 years, she was known as Muskegon's "Story Lady." Vugteveen is the author of Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears, which won the Caldecott Medal in 1976. Dedicated June 12, 2012. Partner: Friends of the Hackley Public Library.