LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Rose
Free 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 100th Anniversary of the Rose Free Library, to be observed at
an Open House Celebration Party at the Library on Saturday, August 11,
2012; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1900s, a group of young women in the Town of
Rose formed a magazine club to exchange periodicals and discuss issues
of the day; and
WHEREAS, This group of women and the Town Improvement Society were the
founders of what would become the Rose Free Library; and
WHEREAS, The original charter members of the Library were: Charles L.
Osborn, Edward R. Hay, Frank H. Closs, Jr., Lorena Valentine, and most
notably, Rose Stubley Town; and
WHEREAS, Eventually they raised the necessary funds to petition the
New York State Department of Education for official status for the Rose
Free Library in 1912; and
WHEREAS, Local author and historian, Alfred S. Roe donated many of the
original books to the Library; and
WHEREAS, Initially the Library was a rented room in a local hotel;
Mabel Osgood served as the first librarian; and
WHEREAS, In 1918, the local school district began supporting the Rose
Free Library's annual fee; that same year, the Library moved to the 2nd
floor of the Rose Chemical Co.; and
WHEREAS, In 1932, the Rose Free Library moved to a room in the new
school building, and in 1962, it moved to its present location in the
old Town Hall building; and
WHEREAS, The Rose Free Library joined the State Library System in
1955; and
WHEREAS, For 100 years, the Rose Free Library has stood by its mission
to provide materials to meet the cultural, recreational and informa-
tional needs of the community and make these materials available to area
residents of all ages in an environment that fosters learning, recre-
ational reading and information retrieval in various formats; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Rose Free Library is due, in large part,
to the dedicated members of its Board of Trustees; these individuals
are: Gregory Peck, President; Michael G. Savage, Vice President; Lisa
K. Humbert, Secretary; Donna Guthrie, Treasurer; Laurie Navratil,
Member; and Donna J. Norris, Library Director; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Rose Free
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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Rose Free Library; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Rose Free Library.