Senate Resolution No. 3091

BY: Senator THOMAS

COMMENDING the Hempstead Public Library upon the
occasion of celebrating its 130th Anniversary in
2019

WHEREAS, Library programs provide the means for individuals to enter
a lifetime of learning while gaining cultural understanding and the
enhancement of global communication skills; and

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 library
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
commend the Hempstead Public Library upon the occasion of celebrating
its 130th Anniversary; and

WHEREAS, The Hempstead Public Library was established in 1889 by
Chauncey C. Parsons and Harriet Mulford who formed a Founders Committee
of prominent congregants of different churches in the village; the
Baptist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and
Swedenborgian religions were all represented on the Library Board; and

WHEREAS, In the first year of its operation, the Hempstead Library
was led by Mary Smith, who volunteered her grocery store for the library
to install bookcases; and

WHEREAS, On June 24, 1951, the Library was reincorporated as the
Hempstead Public Library and opened at its present site; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the luminous leadership of Director Irene A.
Duszkiewicz, the Hempstead Public Library provides a myriad of vital
services to residents including employment assistance, health awareness
events and screenings, community entertainment and bonding events, and
multilingual technology, books, and education services; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Hempstead Public Library has
strived to provide an environment and opportunities for learning,
recreation, and personal growth for all residents; and

WHEREAS, The Hempstead Public Library has been an invaluable
resource for residents of the Village of Hempstead for 130 years; people
come to the Library to connect, discover and learn through story times,
book group, and various programs for all ages; and

WHEREAS, A vital part of its community, this remarkable institution
has continually strived to provide outstanding service to a diverse
population of neighborhood residents; and

WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Hempstead Public Library is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the Library over the years; and

WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Hempstead Public Library's
Board which includes Chair Melissa Figueroa, Vice Chair William
Teleisha, and members Philip Mickulas, Delores Kershaw, and Reine
Bethany, and its superbly-skilled staff, whose involvement is and has
always been characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled
enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all of their
efforts on behalf of the Library and the population it serves; and

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

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Hempstead Public Library upon the occasion of celebrating
its 130th Anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Irene A. Duszkiewicz, Director, Hempstead Public Library.