Library Information, Resources & Services: About the Library

The Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Library provides access to a broad range of information resources and instructional services for SUNY Corning Community College and the regional community. Library Staff provides instruction to patrons about using library resources, information literacy, and developing research topics. The Library provides an enriching environment that supports liberal arts education, career programs, and lifelong learning.

The Arthur A. Houghton Jr. Library maintains a collection of resources to help patrons access the information they need. We have:

• Digital access to over 100 databases that include more than 80,000 journal titles
• More than 20,000 physical books, videos, and DVDs
• Academic eBooks including more than 200,000 titles 
• More than 2,500 eBooks and 700 audiobooks available through Libby as part of the NNYLN Academic Library Consortium
• Academic Video Online with streaming access to over 70,000 videos

The Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Library is named for the first benefactor of SUNY Corning Community College.

In 1959, the first College Library was located in the former home of Mr. Houghton, president of Steuben Glass (1933-1973), on East Third Street.

In 1960, Mr. Houghton gave CCC 273 acres of land on Spencer Hill and helped the College obtain a grant of more than $2 million from the Corning Glass Works Foundation. At the time, his gift constituted one of the largest private gifts ever made to a public two-year college.

Warner, Burns, Toan & Lunde Architects of New York City were selected as campus architects. Their inspiration for the Library's design, a central gallery with bays or rooms off the gallery, was the Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland.  

When the College’s permanent library was completed on the Spencer Hill campus in May 1964, it was appropriately dedicated to Arthur A. Houghton, Jr., a collector of rare books, a friend, benefactor, and counselor to SUNY Corning Community College.

The Library underwent a total renovation and addition project in 2015. The renovated building offers students access to a 21st century facility that is home to both The Arthur A. Houghton Jr. Library & the Learning Commons. Here, students will find academic support, including tutoring in subjects that include math, writing, science, and accounting, among other subject areas. The Learning Commons is a flexible and collaborative environment that promotes interactive and engaged learning across subjects, research, and project development, all with the goal of helping students succeed.

The Library also houses Information Technology, and the Center for Teaching Innovation and Excellence (CTIE) for faculty professional development.

Library Services Desk
607-962-9251
Email Library Staff

We a can help you learn how to use the library's online resources to get started with your research, locate books, or answer other general questions. You can reach us by phone (607-962-9251) during regular library hours. E-mail questions will generally be answered within one business day. You can also schedule an appointment with a librarian.

Your course instructor can arrange to have on-site reference assistance provided by a librarian either before or after one of your class sessions.