LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the found-
ing of the Tompkins County Public Library, Ithaca, 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 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 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Tompkins County
Public Library to be celebrated at a ceremony on April 4, 2014, at the
library's Gallery Opening Night; and
WHEREAS, The Cornell Public Library Association was chartered in 1864,
after Ezra Cornell gifted a new public library, to the community of
Ithaca, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ezra Cornell personally contributed 3,000 volumes, with the
stipulation that he would add 1,000 volumes each year for 12 years; many
other community members also donated books to the library and circu-
lation officially began on March 4, 1867; and
WHEREAS, The auspicious institution included a library room with a
capacity for holding 30,000 volumes, reading areas, Library Hall, and
space for community organizations and local businesses including the
First National Bank; and
WHEREAS, On November 21, 1866, Andrew Dickson White was elected the
first president of Cornell University at a meeting held in the First
National Bank; Cornell's Board of Trustees held their events there for
the next twenty years; on October 7, 1868, in Library Hall, Cornell
University celebrated its Inauguration Day; and
WHEREAS, After serving the community for many years the Cornell
Library was incorporated into the Tompkins County Public Library by the
New York State Board of Regents; its full charter was granted on June
29, 1973; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, the Tompkins County Library opened at its current
location at the corner of Green and Cayuga Streets; its amenities and
programs include a Health Information Center, art displays, Spanish
story time, and the Discovery Trail Partnership collaboration among
seven museums and the library; and
WHEREAS, The Tompkins County Public Library is a core community
service for the over 100,000 residents of Tompkins County, and is a
central library for the Finger Lakes Library System; and
WHEREAS, It proudly provides free and open access to services,
resources, and programs which foster literacy, cultural appreciation and
personal growth and community connections; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by the Tompkins County Public Library is
in direct correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have
supported its development over the years; and
WHEREAS, Equally commendable are the Library's superbly-skilled staff,
whose involvement is and has always been characterized by an impressive
commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of
excellence in all of their efforts on behalf of the library and the
population it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Tompkins
County 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 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Tompkins County
Public Library, Ithaca, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Tompkins County Public Library.