LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the
Walworth-Seely 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 50th Anniversary of the Walworth-Seely Public Library, to be
celebrated on Sunday, February 12, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Prior to the establisment of the Walworth-Seely Public
Library, Walworth resident, Bessie Seely sold her father's vacant build-
ing, formerly Jay Seeley's Tinsmith Shop, to the Walworth Chamber of
Commerce; this location would later be home to the library which would
bear her family's name; and
WHEREAS, True interest for a public library was sparked in the early
1960s through the tireless efforts of Dr. William Horace Foster Newman
and his secretary, Mary Louise Fleming, who wrote more than 200 letters
to Rochester area doctors and several large corporations telling of the
community's desire to have a public library; and
WHEREAS, A precursor to the Library, The Walworth Reading Room first
opened its doors on January 27, 1960, as an experiment under the
co-sponsorship of the Wayne County Library Board and the Walworth Cham-
ber of Commerce; it was located on the first floor in the rear of the
old Seely building; and
WHEREAS, On October 5, 1961, an appeal was made to the Walworth Town
Board to establish a public library; the Board voted unanimously to
establish the Walworth-Seely Public Library and appointed the first
Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of the Walworth-Seely Public Library came
on August 19, 1962; a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house were held,
attended by Bessie Seely, political dignitaries, and local residents;
and
WHEREAS, In Walworth-Seely Public Library's first full year of opera-
tion, the Circulation was 7,112 serving a Population of 2,782; and
WHEREAS, Today, located on the western border of Wayne County, the
Walworth-Seely Public Library serves approximately 9,400 residents and
is a member of the Pioneer Library System, a cooperative public library
system serving forty-two public libraries in Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming and
Livingston counties; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Walworth-
Seely 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 50th Anniversary of the Walworth-Seely Public Library;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Walworth-Seely Public Library.