Senate Resolution No. 1618

BY: Senator OBERACKER

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the William
B. Ogden Free Library of Walton, New York

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 125th Anniversary of the William B. Ogden Free Library
of Walton, New York, to be celebrated at a gala on Saturday, January 27,
2024; and

WHEREAS, William B. Ogden was born in Walton, New York in 1805, and
worked as a postmaster; he later traveled west and helped establish the
city of Chicago, Illinois, where he served as the city's first mayor;
and

WHEREAS, William B. Ogden had organized to grant money to his
hometown upon the occasion of his death; a trustee of the inheritance,
William Wheeler, traveled to Walton to make an informed decision on the
best way to utilize these funds, and the community suggested that the
inheritance be used to build a library; and

WHEREAS, The library had begun construction in 1896, and was
completed in the following year, 1897; it was designed by the firm
Morris and Walker of New York City, and was built by Alexander Carman of
Binghamton out of native bluestone from the quarries on Marvin Hollow
and on Shepard Hill; the library officially opened its doors on January
29, 1899; and

WHEREAS, The William B. Ogden Free Library has been an invaluable
resource for residents of Walton for 125 years; people come to the
library to connect, discover, study, participate in story times, attend
book groups, and participate in various programs for all ages; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the William B. Ogden Free Library is to
enrich the literary and cultural lives of its community members, and to
preserve the integrity of the historic structure of the library; and

WHEREAS, The success of the William B. Ogden Free 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, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the William
B. Ogden Free 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 125th Anniversary of the William B. Ogden Free Library;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the William B. Ogden Free Library of Walton, New York.