LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Beth-
lehem Public 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 Bethlehem Public Library, to be cele-
brated on Saturday, May 11, 2013; and
WHEREAS, In addition, a family celebration on June 29, 2013, marks the
100th Anniversary of the provisional charter granted by the New York
State Board of Regents, which originally took place on July 2, 1913; and
WHEREAS, On May 14, 1913, the Delmar Progress Club founded the Delmar
Free Library Association; Bethlehem's first public library opened in a
room on the second floor of a schoolhouse on the corner of Kenwood
Avenue and Adams Street; and
WHEREAS, Granted a provisional charter in July 1913 by the Board of
Regents, the Delmar Free Library was staffed and administered by
Progress Club volunteers until the school district took over proprietor-
ship in 1931; the town's first librarian was Eula Hallam, who presided
over 2,750 titles and ordered the library's first magazine subscription;
she also drove the bookmobile, the first in the state to be operated by
a school district library; and
WHEREAS, In the ensuing years, the Bethlehem Public Library outgrew
two locations, and moved to its current facility in 1972; in 1981, the
circulation desk was computerized, and in 1983, the library acquired its
first public access computer; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the Bethlehem Public Library's card catalog was
replaced by a computerized catalog linked to the other 28 libraries of
the Upper Hudson Library System; in 2004, the library completed a major
renovation project, remaining open during construction for all but a few
days; and
WHEREAS, Today the Bethlehem Public Library houses close to 137,000
books and media, and circulates about 765,000 items annually; it
provides 26 public computers, has wireless access, along with online
resources of all kinds; and
WHEREAS, The Bethlehem Public Library partners with the school
district, Bethlehem Senior Projects and other community organizations;
it offers its meeting rooms free to community groups and houses the
community's public access television station; the Library sponsored over
1,000 programs in 2011-2012; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, the Bethlehem Public Library marks 100 years of
service to the community; it continues to be a vital and relevant part
of Bethlehem community life; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Bethlehem
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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Bethlehem Public Library; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bethlehem Public Library.