LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the
Bayport-Blue Point Library of Blue Point, New York

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 are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of
institutions whose purpose is dedicated to serving the community and the
needs of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of the Bayport-Blue Point Library of Blue
Point, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Bayport-Blue Point Library is an important educational
and cultural institution which has provided essential services to the
residents of Blue Point and its surrounding communities for the past 75
years; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1938 as a Blue Point P.T.A. project, the Blue
Point Public Library began with a collection of donated books; tradition
has it that these books were gathered by wheelbarrow, now featured on
the library's logo, from the homes of local residents; and
WHEREAS, The library's first home was a small room in the Blue Point
School; later sites included part of the building now occupied by the
Blue Point Liquor Store, a small house on the corner of Madison Street,
now replaced by the dentist's office, and the Bennett House on Blue
Point Avenue; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, a new building was constructed directly behind the
Bennett House, which was subsequently torn down, following a debate
about whether the new building should face Blue Point Avenue or Madison
Street; and
WHEREAS, Now, 33 years later, the library has entrances on both
streets; the present building, the result of two additions, is nearly
three times the size of the 1957 building; and
WHEREAS, When the Bayport and Blue Point school districts joined forc-
es in 1952, the library became the Bayport-Blue Point Public Library;
until 1970, the library was staffed entirely by volunteers, one of the
last all-volunteer libraries in the state; and
WHEREAS, The current character of the library owes much to those early
volunteers, whose dedication and expertise laid a solid foundation for
the book collection and the philosophy of community service; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the Bayport-Blue Point Library has grown in
size and sophistication; today it offers not only books, but videotapes,
compact discs, and recorded books as well; and
WHEREAS, A well-staffed reference department, equipped with up-to-date
computer communication, is able to retrieve from many sources outside
the library walls; and
WHEREAS, Libraries are centers of learning and the cornerstones of
community life; today the Bayport-Blue Point Library provides the full
range of library services; and
WHEREAS, In addition, with its meeting rooms offering a broad range of
public programs, the library has become a cultural center of rare quali-
ty for a community of its size, and one in which the local citizens can,
and do, take great pride; and
WHEREAS, Through all its programs and endeavors, the Bayport-Blue
Point Library has continuously expanded its services to meet the needs
and challenges of its patrons and has become an ever more important
educational, cultural, and community institution; and

WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Bayport-Blue Point Library is in
direct correlation to the efforts of all those who have been instru-
mental in its establishment and development and to the superbly skilled
staff, whose involvement is and has been characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all their endeavors on behalf of the library and the popu-
lation it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Bayport-
Blue Point Library may take just pride in its purposeful growth as it
looks forward to continuing to provide exemplary service to the people
of Bayport, Blue Point and Suffolk County; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Bayport-Blue Point Library,
noting the significance of the invaluable services it has provided, and
will continue to provide, to those it so ably serves; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Bayport-Blue Point Library.