LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 175th Anniversary of the
Buffalo and Erie County Public 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 175th Anniversary of the Buffalo and Erie County Public
Library; and
WHEREAS, In 1836, the Young Men's Association (YMA) was created to
acquire books of permanent or lasting value for its members; this unifi-
cation marked the beginning of a continuous public library service in
Western New York; in its first year, 5,500 items were circulated; and
WHEREAS, Five years later, the first library location opened at 219
Main Street in Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1857, the YMA admitted its first female member; that same
year, a former resident, Seth Grosvenor, died and bequeathed a generous
monetary gift to Buffalo for the creation of a free, public, reference
library; and
WHEREAS, Nearly three decades passed, and the establishment was offi-
cially named the Buffalo Library; this new institution transferred
ownership of its books to the City of Buffalo and was re-established as
a free circulating and reference library, open to all City residents;
and
WHEREAS, Over the years, more branches were developed, and in 1953,
three library institutions were merged by New York State special legis-
lation, creating one federated organization, the Buffalo and Erie County
Public Library; ownership of the Buffalo Public and the Grosvenor
Library buildings and their respective book collections was transferred
to Erie County; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, with its
37 libraries and more than 3.5 million items in circulation, proudly
celebrates 175 years of library service, offering its community an abun-
dance of vital information and educational services; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Buffalo and Erie County Public
Library is in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals
who have supported the development of the library over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Buffalo and Erie County Public
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 Buffalo and
Erie County Public 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 175th Anniversary of the Buffalo and Erie County Public
Library; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.