Dave Langston is a librarian who doesn’t really enjoy books.
“I am not a book man,” said the U.S. Air Force veteran, who served in Vietnam. “My wife, she reads all the time.”
Langston is, however, a project man and his most recent venture led to a highly improved library at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home, at 6919 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

A resident at the nursing home for three years, Langston set about to give new life to the small library just down the hall from the nursing home’s bedrooms.
Within about 2 ½ months, Langston cleared out decades of old materials and obsolete electronic equipment. He organized the library’s books, DVDs, games and other donated items.
“He reshelved everything,” said Rebecca Pinson, the Social Work Services Program manager at the nursing home. He also put up pictures and keeps the library clean and organized, she said.
Langston, she continued, “even made a military section that’s organized by categories.
“We get lots of donations, but now we have it all organized because of Dave,” Pinson said.
And what did his hard work — with help from his bookworm wife, Eileen — get him?
“Well, he’s the librarian now,” Pinson said, with a laugh. “A librarian that doesn’t like books.”
As a gesture of appreciation, the nursing home has lovingly named the revitalized space The Langston Library. It even christened it with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Langston explained his motivation.
“This all started because I just went into the library and it was a wreck,” he said. “We must have hauled out 200 books, all just falling apart. At least now we can actually walk into the library and get something to do or take it back to our rooms.”
The military veteran used a questionnaire to find out what his fellow residents would like to see more of in the library.
So, it appears the “project man” isn’t done. He’s on the prowl for more game trays residents can use in their rooms or beds.
But his next true mission? Getting Wi-Fi specifically for the 76 in-house residents, which the veterans nursing home doesn’t have and the state won’t fund.
“He’s written letters to everyone, including the governor, to try to get it,” Pinson said. “That’s his next project.”
Langston is committed to that cause.
“I think about what I went through and what they’ve been through, and the least I can do is get internet for them,” Langston said.
Published March 09, 2022