Assembly Resolution No. 1113

BY: M. of A. Miller

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the New
Hartford Public 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 50th Anniversary of the New Hartford Public Library; and

WHEREAS, The Town of New Hartford, New York is steeped in years of
rich history and has experienced numerous attempts at the founding of a
public library over nearly two centuries; and

WHEREAS, Despite the many shortcomings and adversities that many of
the town's early libraries faced, in 1975, ten local women created a
grass roots effort to start a new library that would remain free of
charge to resident cardholders; and

WHEREAS, These noble and hardworking women, ever devoted to their
community, saw their idea come fully to fruition on May 6, 1976, when
the New Hartford Library first opened its doors to the public; and

WHEREAS, The original library was located in the basement of a
converted room of Point School, with a generous citizen, Dr. Clark Case,
donating his entire personal library as the foundation of the
institution's book reserve; and

WHEREAS, Growing steadily in popularity, the library acquired new
literature through donations and purchases and moved to a larger
physical space-a classroom in the school; the New Hartford Library began
hosting story hours for preschool children and began summer reading
programs for other school children; and

WHEREAS, Later, in 1983, the New Hartford Library began operating in
a 2,600-square-foot space in the Point School and received a provisional
charter from the New York State Board of Regents; the library also
became a member of the Mid-York Library System during this time; and

WHEREAS, Due to its membership with the Mid-York Library System, the
New Hartford Library was able to borrow books and training materials
from other established libraries in the regional system, promoting its
growth and operational excellence; and

WHEREAS, The unwavering resilience, professionalism, and dedication
to community that was exhibited by the New Hartford Library led to the
reception of a permanent charter by the New York State Board of Regents
on January 19, 1988; and

WHEREAS, Experiencing more growth and success in the early 1990s,
the New Hartford Library sought expansion to a larger physical space;
the board of trustees concluded that the New Hartford community would be
best served by erecting a 10,000-square-foot building on the present
site which was owned by the library; 1,500 generous donors provided
$1,500,000 in funding for the new library during an incredible two-year
public fund-raising campaign; and

WHEREAS, The New Hartford Library moved into the newly constructed
building at 2 Library Lane on April 10, 1999, and opened to the public
on April 17, 1999; since that time, it has become the third-busiest
library in a 47 library, three-county region; and

WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the New Hartford Public Library is
in direct correlation to the efforts of its hard-working staff,
visionary founders, generous donors, and the many dedicated individuals
who have supported the development of the library over the past 50
years; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the New
Hartford 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 its community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the New Hartford Public Library; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New Hartford Public Library.