NYPL Humanities Research Center renamed after Vartan Gregorian

The Center for Research in the Humanities of New York Public Library (NYPL) has been renamed after Armenian-American historian, Aurora Prize co-founder Vartan Gregorian, the official website of the library reported.

“The trustees of The New York Public Library (NYPL) have voted to rename the Center for Research in the Humanities to the Vartan Gregorian Center for Research in the Humanities.

The change recognizes the profound contribution of Vartan Gregorian, NYPL president from 1981–89, who is credited with restoring and revitalizing the Library—structurally, fiscally, and reputationally as an essential civic and educational center.

Under Gregorian’s leadership, branch and research library hours were expanded, the flagship 42nd street location was restored, air conditioning and humidity controls were added to the bookstacks, a large-scale computerization project was begun, the collections were strengthened with a focus on multilingual and multicultural materials, and education and literacy offerings increased. Importantly, he turned the Library into more than a depository of physical items, but into a premier host for cultural and literary events,” it added.