LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Ontar-
io Public Library

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 citi-
zenry; 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 Ontario Public Library, to be cele-
brated with numerous events throughout the year including Library
Memories on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at the Ontario Public Library,
Summer Sun on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Heritage Square Museum,
School Time in the Schoolhouse on Sunday, September 21, 2014, at the
Heritage Square Museum, and the Holidays on Sunday, December 7, 2014, at
the Ontario Public Library, in Ontario, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Centennial will include several special events with guest
speakers and performers, including a Centennial Club to travel through
popular historical fiction of the past 100 years, along with the instal-
lation of a historical marker later this year; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, the Ontario Public Library marks 100 years of
service to the community; it continues to be a vital and relevant part
of Ontario community life; and
WHEREAS, Located in the Town of Ontario, New York, the Ontario Public
Library is a member of the Pioneer Library System, a cooperative public
library system serving Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties;
and
WHEREAS, First opened in 1915 in Tummonds Block, the Ontario Public
Library moved to Furnace Street in 1919; in 1920, the New York State
Department of Education gave the library a charter as a free association
library; and
WHEREAS, In 1925, Cora Ransley was hired as the first librarian of the
Ontario Public Library, and one year later, the total circulation was
4,026 items; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Department of Education granted a provi-
sional charter for the Ontario Public Library in 1968, followed by an
Absolute Charter granted in 1973; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Ontario Public Library is in
direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported the development of the library over the years; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of its current library director,
Sandra Hylen, the Ontario Public Library today houses over 40,000 items
and circulates over 125,000 books and other materials annually; it
provides online catalog access, nine computers for public use, and a
special learning center for toddlers through grade 4; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Ontario Public Library offers numerous
programs for children, teens, and adults, as well as summer programs,
and a community meeting room for local not-for-profit groups; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Ontario Public Library's super-
bly-skilled staff, whose involvement is and has always been character-
ized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncom-
promising standard of excellence in all of their efforts on behalf of
the library and the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, In so effectively carrying out its mission, the Ontario
Public Library has demonstrated the value of bringing people and its
resources together in a congenial and supportive environment; its

library operations exist to support the delivery of information, materi-
als, and services to people of all ages in their pursuit of self-direct-
ed education and recreational interests; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Ontario
Public Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth, as it looks
forward to continuing to serve the educational, cultural and intellectu-
al needs of the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Ontario Public Library; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sandra Hylen, Library Director, Ontario Public Library.