Senate Resolution No. 2170

BY: Senator BORRELLO

COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Cuba
Circulating Library

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 organizations 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 150th Anniversary of the Cuba Circulating Library; and

WHEREAS, With humble beginnings, the Cuba Circulating Library
evolved from a group of community residents who gathered on September
21, 1872, at the local Baptist Church to discuss the need for a village
library; and

WHEREAS, Historians have recorded that a "sociable and supper," for
the purpose of raising money to rent a library room, was held and, in
1873, the first space was rented at the Palmer Hall; during this time,
the library's collection consisted of approximately 700 volumes; and

WHEREAS, By 1902, the membership was recorded as 800 patrons and the
collections had grown to 2,450 volumes; later, the name was changed to
Cuba Circulating Library Association and The Reverend J. C. Seeley was
elected as librarian; and

WHEREAS, With its rapid growth, space soon became an issue and the
organization moved to the Eldridge Block on the corner of East Main and
Genesee Streets, where the library remained until a fire destroyed the
block in 1921; and

WHEREAS, In 1922, 50 years after its founding, the Cuba Circulating
Library had one of its greatest moments when the last will and testament
of Elisabeth Sheldon, a former librarian, bequeathed $30,000 to the
association for the construction and endowment of a new library; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, the will stated the corporation name should be
the Cuba Circulating Library, the building was to be erected, and the
institution must forever remain a free library; and

WHEREAS, Soon thereafter, the property at the corner of East Main
and Maple Streets was acquired and a new tudor style arts and crafts
building was placed on the site in 1924; and

WHEREAS, Continued growth and the subsequent demand for more
services made expansion necessary and in 1997, another bequest of
$270,000 from Elisabeth Hixson Rossiter, who served as both assistant
librarian and librarian for many years, provided impetus for a major
renovation project; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2000, the Cuba Circulating Library proudly
reopened after the completion of a 10,000 square foot addition and total
renovation of the original building; new meeting room facilities, a lift
for handicap accessibility, new heating and air conditioning systems and
a public computer area were among the improvements covered in the
project; and

WHEREAS, The Cuba Circulating Library currently provides services to
more than 4,500 residents living within the greater Cuba area; this
vital institution, which began 150 years ago, has been steadfastly
nurtured and sustained by succeeding generations to become what it is
today; and

WHEREAS, The Cuba Circulating Library has been an invaluable
resource for the residents of its community for more than a century;
people come to the library to connect, discover and learn through story
times, book group, and various programs for all ages; and

WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Cuba Circulating Library is in
direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers,
whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization
and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Cuba
Circulating 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 150th Anniversary of the Cuba Circulating Library; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Cuba Circulating Library.