Senate Resolution No. 2223

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Hepburn
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 Hepburn Library in Madrid, New
York, to be celebrated with an Open House on Saturday, June 3, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Hepburn Library was built as a result of the generosity
of B.A. Hepburn, a nationally prominent banker, financial advisor and
philanthropist, who had a deep appreciation for education, and wished to
see a library created to serve the town of Madrid; and

WHEREAS, On February 13, 1917, the residents of Madrid voted to
accept Mr. Hepburn's gift of a free public library and made a promise to
maintain it; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hepburn thereafter selected a centrally located site
for the library and hired New York City architects, Rossiter & Muller to
design the library using a Dutch design and builders C. E. Castle of
Ogdensburg to construct it; he also donated the library's first 300
books; and

WHEREAS, The library now houses a collection of over 10,000 items,
and access to e-books, e-audio books and many digital databases; and

WHEREAS, The Hepburn Library has undergone various renovations
throughout its history, including new front stairs, handicapped access,
an updated roof, upgrades to its community kitchen, air conditioning,
gas inserts in its upstairs fireplaces, and most recently, an ADA
compliant lift; and

WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings, with its original 300 books,
the Hepburn Library has grown and now includes a Summer Reading Program,
a Battle of the Books and a Teen Tourney and many other worthy programs;
and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Hepburn
Library, under the luminous leadership of Director Laurel Murphy, 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 Hepburn Library; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Laurel Murphy, Director, Hepburn Library, Madrid, New
York.