LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the West-
chester Library System to be celebrated November 12, 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 commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester Library System (WLS) to be
celebrated at its Annual Meeting and Awards Reception on Thursday,
November 12, 2009, at the Woman's Club of White Plains/C.V. Rich
Mansion, White Plains, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Westchester Library System advocates for excellent
service at the 38 member public libraries in 44 locations that make up
the county's library system; it is one of New York State's 23 public
library systems, which were established in 1958 by State Education Law;
and
WHEREAS, WLS helps members save funds through economies of scale and
by sharing resources and services; through diverse outreach programs,
this vital organization helps local services and residents make the most
of their public library; its services reach everyone, including immi-
grants, bilingual speakers, children, parents, teens, low-literacy read-
ers, career-minded adults, inmates and ex-offenders; and
WHEREAS, Over 500,000 library cardholders access WLS's extensive
collection of 3.87 million items, including books, audio recordings and
CDs, video cassettes, DVDs, print serials, maps, pamphlets and more; and
WHEREAS, Governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees elected by the
trustees of member libraries, the mission of WLS is to ensure all resi-
dents have seamless access to excellent library service throughout West-
chester County; and
WHEREAS, Its vision will serve as a center of innovation for the West-
chester County library community, and provide model programs, affordable
and easy-to-use information technology, as well as support services that
enable libraries to continuously improve service to their communities;
and
WHEREAS, The Westchester Library System will base its policy and oper-
ating decisions on ADVICE, the following set of core values: Advocacy,
Diversity, Value (economies of scale), Innovation, Cooperation (resource
sharing), and Education; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Westchester Library System is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the system over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Westchester Library System's
superbly skilled staff, whose involvement is and has always been charac-
terized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an
uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on behalf
of the library system and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Westchester
Library System may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and intellectu-
al needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Westchester Library System to be
celebrated November 12, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Siobhan A. Reardon, Director, Westchester Library System.