LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Elting
Memorial Library

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 commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Elting Memorial Library; and
WHEREAS, The Elting Memorial Library was founded in 1909; the stone
building is on the State and National Historic Registers and has the
special features of the Haviland Heidgerd Historical Collection, a
Suspense & Mystery Collection and a Science Fiction Collection; and
WHEREAS, In 1909, a committee of seven women from the Study Club in
New Paltz recognized the need for a community library independent of the
one maintained by the Normal School in what is now SUNY New Paltz's Old
Main Building; the women opened a reading room on February 1 of that
year in the upper part of the building at 60-62 Main Street; and
WHEREAS, All New Paltz residents were invited to the tea party held at
the opening, and within three months, the library received its charter
from New York State; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, the Elting Memorial Library has developed
into a community resource center; by far the biggest and most ambitious
project taken on by the library community was the expansion project,
which tripled the size of the library in 2006; and
WHEREAS, The Elting Memorial Library has many things to offer the
public; its storehouse of knowledge and technological advances have
helped it to become what it is today; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Elting
Memorial 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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Elting Memorial Library; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Giralico, Elting Memorial Library, 93 Main Street, New
Paltz, New York, 12561.