Mimi Pierre-Johnson, founder of the Elmont Cultural Center and a longtime champion for the community, is running for re-election to the Elmont Memorial Library Board of Trustees. Drawing on decades of service, she remains deeply committed to strengthening education, expanding access for all residents, and ensuring the library keeps pace with evolving technology.
Serving on the library board for the past 12 years, she is running against Susan Saint-Joy, a former member of the Parent-Teacher Association in Floral Park.
Pierre-Johnson said her work has consistently centered on creating spaces that uplift the community through culture, inclusivity and civic engagement.
She has written and illustrated hygiene books in French and Creole while ministering in Haiti, according to her daughter, Tamar Paoli-Bailey. Additionally, she has served as Argo Civic president — securing grants for youth initiatives — and chaired the Elmont Beautification Committee.
“When I was entering elementary school, she wanted to ensure I had access to the best opportunities possible,” her daughter said of the Elmont community serving as a foundation for their family.
She said her mother’s commitment to service has been evident for decades.
Pierre-Johnson has helped guide decisions that shape both the physical space and programming of the library. Among those efforts are infrastructure upgrades, including a recent roof replacement and the planned installation of solar panels aimed at reducing long-term energy costs.
“We wanted to save money on electricity,” Pierre-Johnson referring to the decision to complete roof work before installing solar panels to avoid future costs.
She also pointed to program expansions designed to meet community needs, including the creation of a dedicated teen room, a sensory room for children with autism and expanded access to technology. The library now offers more public computers, something that was implemented in 2020, which ended up eliminating long wait times for patrons who rely on them for schoolwork, job applications and exams.
Pierre-Johnson said those decisions reflect the board’s responsibility to manage taxpayer funding carefully while adapting to changing demands.
Looking ahead, Pierre-Johnson explained how one of the most pressing and complex issues facing libraries is the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on information accuracy and access.
“There are many books that are authors that use AI,” she said. “And so for the library, we have a consortium where we get our books from — and they are not checking to see the authenticity of the books,” she later added.
She said that raises new questions about how libraries categorize and present materials, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more common.
As a result, she said the board has begun discussing whether libraries should create designated sections for AI-generated materials, allowing patrons to make more informed choices while still engaging with emerging technology.
Pierre-Johnson emphasized that staying current with technology is essential, particularly for younger patrons.
“There is a lot of the technology that is used in our libraries,” she said of ensuring the library stays up to date with surging advances with technology.
She also noted that the library serves not only Elmont residents but also neighboring communities, making it a central hub for education and public discourse.
Paoli-Bailey pointed to her mother’s early work teaching literacy, mentoring youth and leading civic initiatives throughout Elmont, as well as her contributions on the library board, including serving on the scholarship committee and helping develop the library’s branding.
“Elmont deserves leadership with experience, integrity, and a proven commitment to service,” she said. “My mother embodies all of that.”
Paoli-Bailey added that her mother was part of a coalition that helped bring early voting to New York state and played a key role in establishing the library as an early voting site.
Pierre-Johnson said she plans to continue focusing on transparency, innovation and community-driven programming while ensuring the library remains responsive to both traditional needs and emerging challenges.
