Senate Resolution No. 1492

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of the Oneida
Public Library on April 30, 2024

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 organizations 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 100th Anniversary of the Oneida Public Library on April
30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The centennial celebration of the renowned Library will
honor the pillars of the Oneida Public Library, featuring historical
exhibits in their art gallery, a poster contest for high schoolers, a
downtown walking tour, summer concert series, cemetery tour and more;
and

WHEREAS, Providing enrichment, enlightenment, education, and
entertainment to the members of the community for over 100 years, the
Oneida Public Library was recognized by the Central NY Library Resources
Council (CLRC) with the Library of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, With humble beginnings, the history of the formation of the
Oneida Public Library dates back to 1879, when Mrs. S. S. Goodwin and
the leading ladies of Oneida Village Society created the Ladies
Circulating Library Association, Oneida's first formal library; and

WHEREAS, On April 30, 1924, the Oneida Public Library opened in the
back room of the Oneida Chamber of Commerce; Miss Nellie Mirick opened
the doors to the newly formed institution and the Oneida Free Library
came to life as the first patron, Eugenia Potter, checked out a book on
that date; and

WHEREAS, The Library Association purchased the Woodhull House at 254
Main Street, where Oneida's first public reading room was established;
after the Library outgrew the Woodhull House, a new beautiful building,
funded by community members, was built on a donated lot on Broad Street;
the new Hand-Barker Memorial Library, was dedicated on January 29, 1955;
and

WHEREAS, By the 1990s, the Library had begun to once again outgrow
their facility and also started to face a period of financial struggle;
in 1996, with the support of the New York State Legislature and the
Oneida City School District, the Oneida Public Library was able to
re-establish itself and expand its hours of operations, as well as its
holdings; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Oneida Public Library serves the 15,000
residents who live in the special library district; it supports a
collection of about 55,000 books, periodicals, and audio-visual items,

offers frequent and diverse children's and adult's programming, provides
space for numerous community groups and one-on-one tutoring, and gives
residents the benefits of a membership with the Mid-York Library System;
and

WHEREAS, The Oneida Public Library has been an invaluable resource
for residents of Oneida, New York, for 100 years; people come to the
Library to connect, discover, and learn through story times, book
groups, and various programs for all ages; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Oneida Public Library is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its dedicated Executive Director, Michele
Ryan, and its members, whose involvement is, and always has been,
characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and
an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of
the Library and the population it serves; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Oneida
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
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Oneida Public Library on April
30, 2024; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Oneida Public Library.