LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Wood-
side Community 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 citi-
zenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Woodside Community Library; and
WHEREAS, On Thursday, December 16, 2010, a special celebration was
held at the Woodside Community Library for its 100th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, Woodside is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Queens and
inhabited by European settlers in the early years; its population did
not increase substantially until the 1800s; and
WHEREAS, In the 1860s, the first developers, Benjamin W. Hitchcock and
John Andrew Kelly arrived and the community of Woodside was formed; and
WHEREAS, The completion of the construction of the Queensboro Bridge
and subway tracks allowed more people to migrate into the community
expanding the population to 6,000 by 1910; Woodside has since grown to
become a diverse residential, commercial, and manufacturing suburb for
working class people; and
WHEREAS, Public library service in Woodside did not arrive until 1908;
this had taken place when the Woodside Improvement Association succeeded
in converting Mr. H. Wikters' General Store into a public library, known
as a "traveling library station"; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1910, the city-funded branch library opened to
the public with Anna Burns as librarian; during World War I, the Library
served as a community activity center; and
WHEREAS. The Library moved several times until it moved to its perma-
nent location at 55th Street and Skillman Avenue in 1932; the branch
building was updated in 1999, improving access to the building for those
with disabilities; and
WHEREAS; The Woodside Community Library primarily serves the area
within the territory of Northern Boulevard to the north, Maurice Avenue
to the south, 50th Street to the east, and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to
the west; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Woodside
Community 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 100th Anniversary of the Woodside Community Library; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Woodside Community Library.