Honor Library’s 100th Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 1319 BY: Senator AKSHAR COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Your Home Public Library, in Johnson City, New York, celebrated on March 9, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the custom of the State of New York to proudly recognize and commend those established organizations within our communities that, year after year, diligently work to improve the quality of life of our citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Your Home Public Library on

March 9, 2017; and WHEREAS, Your Home Public Library (YHPL) came into being as an organized institution on March 9, 1917; it grew out of the careful planning of Harry L. Johnson, the then Vice President of the Johnson City Literary Society; and WHEREAS, The library building was originally the old Brigham Homestead, erected by Elijah Brigham in 1850; the old farm house was of wooden construction but was later replaced by a much finer homestead; the foundations, walls and partitions were built using brick from the Brigham Brick Yard, situated just north of the library building, and WHEREAS, The newer homestead was erected in 1885 and it was this building, with its broad lawns and pleasant verandas, that was chosen by Mr. Johnson and the Endicott Johnson Corporation as the site of the present library; and WHEREAS, In 1920, a large addition was built and the children's room, dining rooms, and kitchen were moved to the new wing of the building, and the children of the Village were given their own separate library room on the first floor of this annex; and WHEREAS, The library was owned, and entirely supported, by the Endicott Johnson Corporation until September 1921 when it was incorporated; following its incorporation, it was supported by the Village of Johnson City; in 1938, the library building was purchased by the Village of Johnson City; and WHEREAS, The library building is listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places; and WHEREAS, Today, Your Home Public Library continues to provide valuable services to residents of Johnson City and the surrounding areas; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when public institutions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Your Home Public Library; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Your Home Public Library.