LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the
Fluvanna Free Library in Jamestown, New York

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge certain exemplary institutions that strive to
provide educational and cultural opportunities to benefit their communi-
ties within this great Empire State through increased access to educa-
tional resources; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Fluvanna Free Library in Jamestown,
New York; and
WHEREAS, In September of 1914, a meeting was called by the Fluvanna
Girls Club for the purpose of forming a Library Association; at this
meeting, 20 men and women signified their interest by agreeing to become
members of the association; on September 23, 1914, a meeting was held at
the home of G.E. Bentley where five trustees were elected in addition to
officers; the first President of the library was Edwin Sample; and
WHEREAS, The first money contributed towards the Fluvanna Free Library
was made by the Fluvanna Girls Club in the amount of $30 for a book fund
and $17 for supplies; the amount of donations was matched by the State
of New York; the library opened with 58 books for adults, and 33 books
for children; and
WHEREAS, The Fluvanna Free Library was first located in a cloak room
on the top floor of the old Fluvanna School; as the school grew, the
library was forced to move into the basement; eventually, the library
was forced out of the school and relocated in a barn on the farm of
Ronnie Lambs; and
WHEREAS, On November 28, 1916, the library was registered as the
Fluvanna Free Library by a vote of the Board of Regents in Albany, New
York; in 1917, the library moved from the farm to property purchased on
the corner of Elmhurst Avenue and Old Route 17; this lot was later sold
and the money used toward the construction of the current library in
1953; and
WHEREAS, Today, the library is located on Fluvanna Avenue in James-
town, New York; the original librarian, Anna Sondell, was able to secure
the land through a donation; Anna Sondell successfully managed the
library for a total of 76 years; and
WHEREAS, The Fluvanna Free Library is open six days a week and is run
by all volunteers, except for the Director and Assistant Librarian; the
library offers information, education, and entertainment to the public
through books, DVDs, and computers; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
milestones in the histories of certain exceptional libraries in this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Fluvanna Free Library; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Fluvanna Free Library.