Senate Resolution No. 390

BY: Senator LAVALLE

COMMEMORATING the 120th Anniversary of the
Westhampton Free Library on March 4, 2017

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
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 120th Anniversary of the Westhampton Free Library to be
celebrated at a party on Saturday, March 4, 2017; and

WHEREAS, For 120 years, the Westhampton Free Library has strived to
serve the communities of Westhampton Beach, Westhampton, East Moriches,
Eastport, South Manor, East Quogue, Quiogue, Remsenburg, and Speonk;
cultivate knowledge; promote curiosity; and inspire lifelong learning;
and

WHEREAS, The Westhampton Free Library Association opened its doors
to the public on Main Street on March 1, 1897, with a charter granted by
the University of the State of New York and signed by Melvil Dewey,
creator of the Dewey Decimal System; and

WHEREAS, In 1906, property owned by Ralph and Laura Cutter was
gifted for sole use by the Library and its first building was erected at
a cost of $3,200; and

WHEREAS, In 1951 a gift from the Westhampton Chapel Society led to
the erection of the Library Avenue building; shortly thereafter, two
extensions were added in 1953, courtesy of the Judge Harold Medina Fund;
and

WHEREAS, Continuing the process of cobbling together a library to
suit a growing subscribership resulted in further additions in 1959,
1966, 1986 and 1988, and the purchase of 5 Library Avenue in 2003, as a
site for the Library's programs; and

WHEREAS, By 2004, it has become more than obvious that further
growth could best be served not by still more additions but by the
construction of an entirely new Library, one whose planning involved the
needs and wishes of the community; four years later, the Library was
moved into temporary quarters while the new facility was erected; and

WHEREAS, Designed to last for at least the next 50 years and to
function as an environmentally responsible example, the new Westhampton
Free Library officially opened its doors to the residents of
Westhampton, Westhampton Beach and Quiogue as well as those in the East
Moriches, East Quogue, Eastport-South Manor and Remsenburg-Speonk school
districts on Saturday, June 26, 2010; and

WHEREAS, The Westhampton Free Library is one of several libraries in
Suffolk County to be awarded American Star designations from Library
Journal, the oldest and most respected publication covering the library
field; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Director Danielle
Waskiewicz, the Westhampton Free Library is governed and guided by a
Board of Trustees composed of six community members; the trustees serve
as the liaison between the library and the public, establishing policies
which are responsive to the community's needs; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the
Westhampton 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 120th Anniversary of the Westhampton Free Library on
March 4, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Danielle Waskiewicz, Director, the Westhampton Free
Library.