LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Rich-
burg Colonial Library in Richburg, New York

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge certain exemplary institutions that strive to
provide educational and cultural opportunities to benefit their communi-
ties within this great Empire State through increased access to educa-
tional resources; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Richburg Colonial Library in Rich-
burg, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Richburg Colonial Library was constructed around 1850 of
the hand-hewn timbers on a foundation of rocks and stone; the building
was originally called the Allen House and was used as a hotel; and
WHEREAS, The Richburg Colonial Library was later purchased as a resi-
dential home and renamed "Colonial Hall" with the intent to turn it into
a library; and
WHEREAS, On November 26, 1913, a committee was formed to investigate
how to turn "Colonial Hall" into a library; on December 2, 1913, the
library association was formed, and on June 24, 1914, a charter for the
library was granted; and
WHEREAS, That fall, on October 30, 1914, dedication ceremonies were
held; the newly-formed library opened with a collection of 370 books and
28 periodicals; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Richburg Colonial Library serves as the oldest
library in the Southern Tier Library System; the library provides a wide
range of library services to the Village of Richburg, the Town of Wirt
and the Bolivar-Richburg School District; and
WHEREAS, The Richburg Colonial Library provides General Educational
Development courses to those in the surrounding community who wish to
obtain their degrees; it also offers computer classes, online job
searching, and professional resume and cover letter skills; and
WHEREAS, The library strives to keep current with changing technology;
they offer communication options through the Internet and also provide
electronic books that patrons in the local community can borrow and
enjoy; the Richburg Colonial Library now has a collection of over 9,000
books and periodicals; and
WHEREAS, The Richburg Colonial Library values its strong ties with the
community and its ability to work closely with the local school
district; each week, staff from the library read to kindergarten
students at the Bolivar-Richburg Elementary School; the library provides
vital services which are highly valued by the local community; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
milestones in the histories of certain exceptional libraries in this
great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Richburg Colonial Library; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Richburg Colonial Library.