LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Pulaski Public Library upon the
occasion of celebrating its 50th Anniversary

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 commend
the Pulaski Public Library upon the occasion of celebrating its 50th
Anniversary, to be observed at a celebration on Sunday, April 29, 2012;
and
WHEREAS, In 1961, a group of community residents including members of
the Jaycees, met with village officials to present recommendations for a
village library in Pulaski; and
WHEREAS, Early members of the investigating committee, including
Charles Blount, Dr. Lewis Watson, Walter Smith and Vincent Ruede,
requested funding from the Village Board and presented names for a
Library Board; and
WHEREAS, The committee had decided on the Calkins block on Jefferson
Street (present site of Judy's House of Beauty) as the site for the new
library; and
WHEREAS, A resolution was unanimously adopted on April 3, 1962, stat-
ing that a Public Library for the Village of Pulaski to be known as the
Pulaski Public Library was thereby established; and
WHEREAS, In that resolution, the following five named persons were
appointed as members of the Library Board of Trustees: Mrs. Chester
Hovey, Mr. Walter Smith, Mr. Donald Cornell, Mrs. Charlotta Richardson,
and Mr. Charles Blount; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Village Board at that time included Howard
Crocker, Ralph Lundgren, Henry Mathison and Edward Nolan with Mayor
Kenneth Stowell; and
WHEREAS, The investigating committee found it necessary to enlist the
help of community members to assist in finalizing the details; these
civic-minded community members became known as the Friends of the
Library; and
WHEREAS, The Friends of the Library helped solicit donations for
equipment and reading materials; building preparation was directed by
members of the Jaycees; and
WHEREAS, The new Pulaski Public Library opened on June 1, 1962, with
great interest from the community; Mrs. Wilma Elder was hired as the
first librarian and a five year provisional charter was granted from the
New York State Education Department on May 25, 1962; the first books
purchased were through donations and the Michael Nolan Memorial gift;
and
WHEREAS, In December of 1962, a representative from the Snow Founda-
tion approached the Library Board with a proposal for the gift of a
house and property on Maple Avenue to be used as the Library; and
WHEREAS, On June 7, 1963, the Snow property on Maple Avenue was
accepted with the promise of annual funds for maintenance and other
expenses; that same month, the Pulaski Public Library officially became
a member of the North Country Library System; and
WHEREAS, In February of 1964, 625 village and 464 town residents held
library cards; in June of 1964, the Library was moved to the Maple
Avenue site (present location of the Pulaski Historical Society); and

WHEREAS, The permanent charter for the Pulaski Public Library was
granted from the New York State Education Department on July 10, 1972;
and
WHEREAS, Mayor Floyd Carpenter formed a committee in 1974 for the
building of a new facility to house the village offices and library;
subsequently, the Snow Memorial Building was dedicated on May 26, 1976,
with the Library occupying 39% of the building; and
WHEREAS, Wilma Elder retired at the end of March in 1978 after 16
years; the Library Board named Katherine Bailey as acting librarian
until her death in 1981; Brenda Wilson Bennett was employed as a library
technician on March 9, 1981; Mary Jacobs was appointed as library direc-
tor in 1989, and Nancy Johnson in 1992; Margaret Weigel was appointed
following Nancy's retirement in 1997; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Pulaski
Public Library 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
commend the Pulaski Public Library upon the occasion of celebrating its
50th Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Pulaski Public Library.