LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Old
Forge Library

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in acknowledging happy
occasions and significant milestones in the distinguished histories of
its esteemed entities; and
WHEREAS, The Old Forge Library will celebrate its 100th Anniversary
with a variety of events, plays, and special guests throughout 2014; and
WHEREAS, After a prominent New York City resident promised to donate
books to Old Forge if the Town could provide a suitable place to house
them, a meeting was held to discuss establishing a library in November
of 1913; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Benjamin Knapp, Maurice Callahan, W.D. Marks Jr.,
R.T. Fuller, and W.J. Thistlethwaite led the discussions of starting
the library, including securing funding, building shelves, and drafting
rules and regulations; and
WHEREAS, The Old Forge Library was granted a provisional charter by
New York and opened in February of 1914, in the front room of Mr.
Thistlethwaite's real estate office on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The original Board of Trustees included Walter Marks, Maurice
Callahan, Ella Lindsay, Benjamin Knapp, and A.T. Clafee; and
WHEREAS, May Sperry Marks served as the first librarian; she was
followed by Mary Ball, Marian Weedmark, Maude Marks, and Mabel Parsons,
who served for 34 years; and
WHEREAS, An absolute charter was granted in 1961; that same year, the
library became a member of the Mid New York Library System; and
WHEREAS, The library moved to several different locations over the
years, from the real estate office, to a small room above what was then
the fire hall, and then to a Main Street building donated by Walter
Marks; and
WHEREAS, Librarians during these years included Agnes Fallon, Frederi-
ca Roberts, Helen Davis, Betty Tyler, Gwen Birtle, and Carol Hansen; and
WHEREAS, The library moved to its current home on Crosby Boulevard in
1977, just after Isabelle Worthen was appointed Director; and
WHEREAS, The Old Forge Library continues to serve the community as a
valuable resource; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Old Forge Library; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Old Forge Library.