LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Cazenovia Library upon the occa-
sion of celebrating its 125th 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 Cazenovia Library upon the occasion of celebrating its 125th Anni-
versary at an Open House on Friday, June 3, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Cazenovia Library serves a population of approximately
6,500 people, and is a member of the Mid-York Library System, which
serves Madison, Oneida and Herkimer counties; educational programs
developed by the library are used by more than 1,000 school children
each year and the Museum is also visited by college students studying
design and history; and
WHEREAS, In 1886, a Cazenovia Library Society was formed, similar to
the library companies that established and maintained libraries through
membership and lending fees, and gifts; its aim was to build an impres-
sive and dependable establishment; Society President William Burr
donated rooms above his office on Albany Street for the project and soon
the library quickly outgrew its location; and
WHEREAS, John Williams' 1830 Greek Revival house was purchased in
1890, by a well-known Cazenovia benefactor, Robert J. Hubbard, who
donated it to the Society; and
WHEREAS, The library was opened to the public in November of 1890; it
was fitted with new bookcases, shelves, and other conveniences; the
circulation room, stacks, and reading rooms were on the house's ground
floor, while upstairs there was a room for natural history specimens,
objects of local interest, and many Egyptian artifacts, including a
complete mummy and its case that Hubbard had purchased in Egypt on a
Grand Tour in 1894; and
WHEREAS, The library has served as an historical society and "communi-
ty attic" for Cazenovia since its founding, and continues today in that
function; and
WHEREAS, The Williams house comprised the community library's total
collection until 1996, when a modem two-story structure was attached to
serve as the main working building; and
WHEREAS, All circulation and book storage functions were moved to the
new addition, and a number of features were added to serve local
cultural and historical purposes; an exhibition gallery for local art
connects the newer building to the old one, and on the original
building's ground floor, a local history room, and three museum rooms
were created for the library's collection, including its beloved Egyp-
tian artifacts; and
WHEREAS, In addition, an archive room was added on the ground floor of
the new structure to house the Library's precious local documents; this
floor also contains a community room available for meetings on request
by local organizations; and
WHEREAS, The library also offers computer services with Internet and
Wi-Fi connections, and in the original house are two quiet reading rooms
that retain their original 19th century interiors; and
WHEREAS, This occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative
Body to recognize and pay tribute to the Cazenovia Library; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Cazenovia
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 Cazenovia Library upon the occasion of celebrating its 125th
Anniversary; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Cazenovia Library.