LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Half Hollow Hills Community
Library upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary on April
26, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across the great State
of New York is reflective of certain exemplary institutions whose
purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Half Hollow Hills Community Library upon the occasion of its 50th
Anniversary to be celebrated on Sunday, April 26, 2009; and
WHEREAS, In 1958, the Sunquam-Melville Parent Teachers Association
provided the original drive for the library in the Half Hollow Hills
area with a substantial donation towards the library fund; subsequently,
a library committee was formed and began its work by looking for a
location for the library; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Education of the Half Hollow Hills School
District granted permission for the use of a large room in the basement
of the old Melville School on Sweet Hollow Road; and
WHEREAS, The original volunteers recruited 30 local Boy Scouts;
together, the Boy Scouts and the 25 adult volunteers conducted a house-
to-house canvas for books; members of the community also helped build
the book shelves and decorate the interior of the new Library; and
WHEREAS, Servicing the residents of Dix Mills and Melville, New York,
the Half Hollow Hills Community Library was opened in April 1959; in
June 1964, the New York State Board of Regents granted a permanent char-
ter to the Library; and
WHEREAS, As the Half Hollow Hills Community Library grew, the need for
additional facilities became apparent; while keeping the Melville Branch
open, a new library was built across from the High School on Vanderbilt
Parkway; this site was chosen so that it would become a focal point of
educational and social activities; the building opened its doors on July
30, 1967; and
WHEREAS, In response to increased circulation, in 1980, the Half
Hollow Hills Community Library installed an automated circulation
control system; the system (CLSI) stored and organized reserve lists,
signaled the operator when a reserve book is returned and kept the
library staff informed of the location of specific items; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Half Hollow Hills Community Library offers a broad
range of services to meet the informational, educational and recreation-
al needs of individuals of all ages, including: books, periodicals,
newspapers, DVDs, inter-library loans, outreach programs, large-type
books, as well as computer and internet services and much more; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Half Hollow Hills Community
Library is in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals
and volunteers who have supported the development of the library over
the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable is the Half Hollow Hills Community
Library's superbly-skilled staff, whose involvement is and has always
been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm,
and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the Library and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Half Hollow
Hills Community Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as

it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and
intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Half Hollow Hills Community Library upon the occasion of
celebrating its 50th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Half Hollow Hills Community Library.