LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the North
Merrick 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 50th Anniversary of the North Merrick Library; and
WHEREAS, In the 1940s, efforts by the Merrick Library to establish a
more convenient branch for the residents of northern Merrick did not
come to fruition due to a lack of patronage; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s, even though many civic groups supported the
move, two more attempts to found a library in North Merrick were unsuc-
cessful; and
WHEREAS, On November 21, 1964, the proposition was finally passed by a
margin of nearly 3 to 1, hereafter, the community of North Merrick had
their own library; and
WHEREAS, On December 5, 1965, the North Merrick Library officially
opened its doors to the public in a storefront at 1148 Merrick Avenue;
on October 3, 1966, the library moved into its current location at the
former Meadowbrook School; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Linda Vasconi joined the library staff; today, she
is the longest-serving employee of the North Merrick Library; she start-
ed out dusting bookshelves and later learned to work the circulation
desk, handle public relations, help decorate the facility, and assist
with programs and events; and
WHEREAS, A witness to the library's evolution over the decades, Linda
Vasconi has truly embraced changes brought along by technology; the
library's inclusion of videos, computers, e-readers, tablets, and
streaming devices has ensured that young people keep coming to the
library; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Director Tom Witt, the North
Merrick Library has many activities planned to observe this milestone,
culminating in a celebration on October 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, In November of 2014, the North Merrick Library reflected on
its first five decades and filmed interviews with residents and staff
members for an oral history project; and
WHEREAS, Five decades later, the North Merrick Library offers a world
of information and educational and recreational services, envisioned by
its founders, to residents of all backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, The North Merrick Library has truly become the center of its
community; it is a place to meet formally or informally, to study and
conduct research, and to develop job searching skills, as well as to
learn and be entertained through a myriad of services that were unimag-
inable 50 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the North
Merrick 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 50th Anniversary of the North Merrick Library; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Director Tom Witt, North Merrick Library.