LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Brent-
wood Public 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 75th Anniversary of the Brentwood Public Library; and
WHEREAS, In 1937, the Brentwood community's first library opened in a
cloakroom of the old firehouse on First Avenue; during the following 24
years, the library was located in a former store on First Avenue, the
annex of the Brentwood Schools Administration Building, and a small
building on the southwest corner of Third Avenue and Fourth Street; in
1961, the Brentwood Public Library relocated to its current site; and
WHEREAS, While Brentwood Public Library has remained at the address of
34 Second Avenue for more than 50 years, it has grown and changed to
meet the needs of the community; two major expansions took place in 1961
and 1988, and two extensive renovations were made in 1978 and 2008,
increasing the physical structure providing space for enhanced programs
and services; and
WHEREAS, In 1937, the population of Brentwood was approximately 1,500;
the library was open ten hours a week, and there was a collection of 500
books; today, the population is just over 87,000, and the library is
open 72 hours a week along with access through its website; the
collection exceeds 285,500 items; and
WHEREAS, The Brentwood Public Library has truly become the center of
its community; it is a place to meet formally or informally, to study
and conduct research, to develop job searching skills, as well as to
learn and be entertained through a myriad of services that were unimag-
inable 75 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Brentwood
Public Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and intellectu-
al needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Brentwood Public Library; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Brentwood Public Library.