LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the rededication of the Edith B.
Ford Memorial Library on July 14, 2012

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 rededication of the Edith B. Ford Memorial Library on July 14,
2012, at the Library in Ovid, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Edith B. Ford Memorial Library is celebrating 50 years in
its present building; the program for the rededication of the building
will be called, "Building Knowledge - Past, Present, and Future"; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1899, interested citizens of Ovid met to discuss
and organize a library for its residents and in December of that year,
the New York Board of Regents granted a Provisional Charter to this
corporation under the name "Ovid Free Library"; in 1905, the library was
moved into the County Clerk's office next to the Court House in the
Seneca County Park; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, Dr. Walter B. Ford, a local resident and renowned
educator, provided support to build a new library in his wife's name,
Edith B. Ford; the style of the library was quite modern for the time,
and featured stained glass windows of portraits of the world's greatest
thinkers and artists, as well as a high wood panel at the north end of
the main room with the names of various great contributors to litera-
ture, the arts, and science; and
WHEREAS, The Library became a member of the Finger Lakes Library
System, which allowed the residents of Ovid to receive books, films and
research materials from the other 33 members of the Finger Lakes Library
System; in February 1962, the library was moved into the new building,
and in October of that same year, the Absolute Charter was amended to
change the corporate name to "Edith B. Ford Memorial Library of Ovid,
New York"; and
WHEREAS, In 1999, the Edith B. Ford Memorial Library was named the
fourth best small rural library in the United States by the American
Library Association; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by Director Shannon O'Connor, the Edith B. Ford
Memorial Library continues to prosper today and into the future; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Edith B. Ford Memorial 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, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Edith B.
Ford 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 rededication of the Edith B. Ford Memorial Library on
July 14, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shannon O'Connor, Director, Edith B. Ford Memorial Library.