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More about the Pat Parker/Vito Russo Center Library

The library is named in honor of two great writer/activists: Pat Parker and Vito Russo. The late lesbian poet Pat Parker, author of Movement in Black, was hailed by many as a "lead voice and caller" in the lesbian-feminist cultural scene. The late gay film historian Vito Russo was the author of The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies, which was released as a motion picture in 1996.

The library was founded by Stan Levanthal, Kevin Jenkins and Brian Phillips with 500 titles in the collection. It was their hope to accurately represent our rich literary heritage and encourage exploration of the unique LGBT experience in a safe, unbiased environment.

In 1992 the library, which received little outside financial support, began holding periodic book sales as a fundraisers. To this day, revenues from the now regularly scheduled book sale continue to support the library's programs.

In 1994, the library moved from portable bookshelves to a renovated permanent location, supported by the Paul Rapoport Foundation, the Network of Business and Professional Organizations, the Girth and Mirth Club of New York, the Publishing Triangle, A Different Light Bookstore, Book-of-the-Month Club and Gay Male S&M Activists (GMSMA).

In 1996, the library inaugurated its computer catalog system, with computers donated by IBM Corporation.

In 2002, the library made its catalog available to the public via the Web.

The Pat Parker/Vito Russo Library is a member of the American Library Association and METRO (the Metropolitan New York Library Council).