LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Mechan-
icville District Public Library to be celebrated on June 18, 2016

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 50th Anniversary of the Mechanicville District Public Library
to be celebrated on June 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The first principal of Mechanicville District School, Lymann
Blakeman, established the first library in the school basement, open two
afternoons a week to students and the public; and
WHEREAS, Lymann Blakeman was assisted by Jessie Walker, who attended
library school in Albany where Melvil Dewey himself kept careful watch
over her; and
WHEREAS, Melvil Dewey came from Albany to Mechanicville and lectured
on, "How to form a public library"; and
WHEREAS, In succeeding years, Blakeman Library had a dual role, serv-
ing the public and students, but no clear cut lines of responsibility
were established; plans for a new high school in 1965 made no provisions
for public service; and
WHEREAS, The Public Library Development Committee met for the first
time in June of 1965; after much work and deliberation of what kind of
library to have, on May 5, 1966, by a vote of 574-130, The Mechanicville
District Public Library was established; and
WHEREAS, The charter for the library was granted by the Board of
Regents on June 24, 1966 and an agreement for inclusion in the South
Adirondack Library System was made on June 28, 1966; and
WHEREAS, With Elizabeth Morse serving as its first Director, the
Mechanicville District Public Library opened to the public in an old
brick house at 15 South Main Street in February of 1967; deemed as
temporary quarters, vast efforts were made toward construction of a new
building; and
WHEREAS, Carmine DeCrescente donated land for the new library site; in
July of 1995, voters passed a referendum approving the necessary funds
to construct a new library at 190 North Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Mechanicville District Public Library moved into a brand
new building at 190 North Main Street in February of 1997, and became
more of a multimedia center, striving to accomplish the goals set out in
its mission, to be a window to the world for the City of Mechanicville;
and
WHEREAS, Through various materials and programs offered, the library
has worked to be a center of the Mechanicville community; subsequently,
in February of 2011, voters passed a referendum approving the
construction of an addition and renovation of the building as the commu-
nity had outgrown the facility; and
WHEREAS, As of 2015, the Mechanicville District Public Library holds
over 40,500 items such as audiobooks, books, magazines, movies, and
music; and
WHEREAS, The Ellsworth Room houses historical materials including
newspapers on microfilm, directories and high school yearbooks, to name
a few; and
WHEREAS, The internet is accessible through 16 computer stations along
with diverse databases; and

WHEREAS, The new DeCrescente Reading Room and Children's Room host
many library programs throughout the year; and 2016 will mark the
Mechanicville District Public Library's 50th Anniversary of serving the
community; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Mechanicville District Public
Library is in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals
who have supported the development of the library over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Mechanicville District Public
Library's superbly-skilled staff, whose involvement is and has always
been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm,
and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on
behalf of the library and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Mechanic-
ville District Public Library may take just pride in its purposeful
growth, as it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational,
cultural and intellectual needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Mechanicville District Public
Library to be celebrated on June 18, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Mechanicville District Public Library.