Honor Library’s 120th Anniversary

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