Honor Weedsport Library Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 346 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO COMMENDING the Weedsport Free Library upon the occasion of celebrating its 20th Anniversary of its newest facility WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those exemplary institutions within our midst that are dedicated to serving the community and the needs of its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Weedsport Free Library upon the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of its newest facility, which was celebrated with an Open House with refreshments, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and live entertainment provided by The Carol Bryant Trio on Friday, October 28,

2016, at its location on East Brutus Street in Weedsport, New York; and WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library, a member of the Finger Lakes Library System, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing facilities and materials for education, recreation, personal growth and information to the residents of Weedsport and its surrounding area; and WHEREAS, For the past 20 years, in its most recent location, the Weedsport Free Library has informed, enriched and empowered every person in its community by promoting easy access to a vast array of ideas and information, and by supporting an informed citizenry, lifelong learning and a love of reading, while providing people-oriented library services; and WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library has grown tremendously since its inception in 1914, when a group of 13 community members in Weedsport met to discuss the possibility of organizing a library; and WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library opened a year later in 1915, in a room on the second floor of The Weedsport Sentinel building at the corner of Brutus and Seneca Streets in Weedsport, which is now Whittler's Green Park; and WHEREAS, In its early years, the Weedsport Free Library developed from its modest beginning; its sphere of activity continually broadened until it had simply outgrown its accommodations; and WHEREAS, In 1920, construction plans for a new building were made, and meanwhile, the library moved down the street to what was Statham's Photography Studio, next to what was formerly Fult's Furniture Store; and WHEREAS, In 1929, the Weedsport Free Library moved to the beautiful Episcopal Church on East Brutus Street, where the library existed for many years; and WHEREAS, Continued growth and increased usage of the Weedsport Free Library mandated yet another move, and in 1996, the Weedsport Free Library relocated to where it is currently housed, at 2795 East Brutus Street in the Village of Weedsport; and WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Library Director Cheryl Austin, the Weedsport Free Library has further expanded its services and has continued to make a lasting impact on its community; and WHEREAS, Steeped in distinguished history, the Weedsport Free Library may take just pride in its growth, as it looks forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural, and intellectual needs of the community; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those organizations that enhance the knowledge and vitality of their communities and have shown a sustained commitment to excellence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Weedsport Free Library upon the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of its newest facility; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Cheryl Austin, Library Director, Weedsport Free Library.