Senate Resolution No. 346

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMENDING the Weedsport Free Library upon the
occasion of celebrating its 20th Anniversary of its
newest facility

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
exemplary institutions within our midst that are dedicated to serving
the community and the needs of its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Weedsport Free Library upon the occasion of the 20th
Anniversary of its newest facility, which was celebrated with an Open
House with refreshments, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and live
entertainment provided by The Carol Bryant Trio on Friday, October 28,
2016, at its location on East Brutus Street in Weedsport, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library, a member of the Finger Lakes
Library System, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing
facilities and materials for education, recreation, personal growth and
information to the residents of Weedsport and its surrounding area; and

WHEREAS, For the past 20 years, in its most recent location, the
Weedsport Free Library has informed, enriched and empowered every person
in its community by promoting easy access to a vast array of ideas and
information, and by supporting an informed citizenry, lifelong learning
and a love of reading, while providing people-oriented library services;
and

WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library has grown tremendously since its
inception in 1914, when a group of 13 community members in Weedsport met
to discuss the possibility of organizing a library; and

WHEREAS, The Weedsport Free Library opened a year later in 1915, in
a room on the second floor of The Weedsport Sentinel building at the
corner of Brutus and Seneca Streets in Weedsport, which is now
Whittler's Green Park; and

WHEREAS, In its early years, the Weedsport Free Library developed
from its modest beginning; its sphere of activity continually broadened
until it had simply outgrown its accommodations; and

WHEREAS, In 1920, construction plans for a new building were made,
and meanwhile, the library moved down the street to what was Statham's
Photography Studio, next to what was formerly Fult's Furniture Store;
and

WHEREAS, In 1929, the Weedsport Free Library moved to the beautiful
Episcopal Church on East Brutus Street, where the library existed for
many years; and

WHEREAS, Continued growth and increased usage of the Weedsport Free
Library mandated yet another move, and in 1996, the Weedsport Free

Library relocated to where it is currently housed, at 2795 East Brutus
Street in the Village of Weedsport; and

WHEREAS, Today, under the able leadership of Library Director Cheryl
Austin, the Weedsport Free Library has further expanded its services and
has continued to make a lasting impact on its community; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in distinguished history, the Weedsport Free
Library may take just pride in its growth, as it looks forward to
continuing to serve the educational, cultural, and intellectual needs of
the community; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
organizations that enhance the knowledge and vitality of their
communities and have shown a sustained commitment to excellence; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Weedsport Free Library upon the occasion of the 20th
Anniversary of its newest facility; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Cheryl Austin, Library Director, Weedsport Free Library.