Senate Resolution No. 189

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Holland
Patent 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
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Holland Patent Free Library
celebrated at a silent auction on Saturday, July 16, 2016; and

WHEREAS, The Holland Patent Free Library was created after the local
chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution decided to pursue
the idea in 1915; the library opened on July 6, 1916 in a building that
the Holland Patent Improvement Co. offered for temporary use; and

WHEREAS, Since she was the only person who knew anything about the
Dewey Decimal System, Lillian Potter was appointed librarian, a position
she held from 1916-1957; and

WHEREAS, In 1926, the library purchased the Charles Wood property
and moved across Center Street from Holland Hall; as the years went by,
the library kept expanding and purchased the former White's Tavern on
Main Street in hopes that someday a larger library could be built; and

WHEREAS, Led by elected President Beatrice Dunlap, the board of
trustees worked diligently to erect a permanent building to house the
library; on April 29, 1967 the groundbreaking for the new library took
place and on October 14, 1968, the library opened to the public; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, with 26 patrons and 453 donated
books, the Holland Patent Free Library has grown to over 3000 patrons
and more than 15,000 holdings; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Holland
Patent Free Library, under the luminous leadership of Director Cindy
McVoy, 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 100th Anniversary of the Holland Patent Free Library;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Cindy McVoy, Director, Holland Patent Free Library.