LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of the
Marcellus Free Library

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those organizations of distinguished purpose that have been
committed to the pursuit of excellence and that bring great pride to the
citizens of our great state; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to cele-
brate the Centennial Anniversary of the Marcellus Free Library; and
WHEREAS, The objective of the Marcellus Free Library is to serve the
community by encouraging interest in literacy and learning and by
providing accessibility to various library programs, services and mate-
rials; and
WHEREAS, The Marcellus Free Library was founded in 1914 by a group of
interested citizens who realized the need for a library association in
their community; their dream became a reality when Miss Elizabeth Chap-
man donated two bookcases, a double top desk, and 215 book volumes; and
WHEREAS, On March 21, 1914, the Marcellus Free Library opened its
doors for business on the second floor of the Knapp building on the
northwest corner of North and Main Streets in the Village of Marcellus;
Frank W. Knapp had donated the rooms to the library; and
WHEREAS, On March 1, 1916, the first annual bazaar and fundraiser was
held to benefit the Marcellus Free Library; the event featured musical
performances, youth activities, and an auction which even featured a
donated prize bull calf; and
WHEREAS, In 1961, the Marcellus Free Library became a member of the
Onondaga County Library System, and in 1968, the Friends of the Marcel-
lus Free Library was established; and
WHEREAS, A century and four locations later, the Marcellus Free
Library calls its current home a new, modern facility at 32 Maple Street
in the Village of Marcellus; the library remains a valuable resource and
a source of great pride for the Marcellus community; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Marcellus Free Library has amassed a
current collection of more than 30,000 items, offers a community room
that is available for free to local non-profit groups, and hosts both
adult and children educational programs; and particular emphasis has
been placed on encouraging the interests of young people through library
programs, services and materials; and
WHEREAS, Marcellus Free Library's renovated facility earned a LEED
Silver rating in 2009 because of its environmentally friendly features
that include solar panels, a geothermal heating/cooling system, high
levels of insulation, and furniture with low levels of volatile organic
chemicals; and
WHEREAS, The Marcellus Free Library was the first library in Onondaga
County to receive LEED Silver rating; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the Marcellus Free Library; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Marcellus Free Library Board of Trustees.