Senate Resolution No. 3654

BY: Senator ORTT

COMMEMORATING the 125th Anniversary of the
Lockport Public Library on February 9, 2018

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
citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Lockport Public Library, to be
celebrated on Friday, February 9, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The Lockport Public Library's rich history began in 1847
when a legislative act established the Union School system and provided
for the consolidation of the seven district school libraries; the newly
organized Board of Education appointed a committee of three to supervise
the library, Isaac T. Colton, William McMaster and John Woolcott; in
1847, Henry Shaft was appointed librarian, a part-time position; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of trustees John A. Merritt,
William Richmond and Harrison S. Chapman, the Library was officially
granted its charter on February 9, 1893; and

WHEREAS, In 1919, Claire N. Atwater was appointed as regular
full-time librarian, and five years later, she was succeeded by Helene
Prudden; and

WHEREAS, As the Library continued to grow and thrive, it became
obvious a new building needed to be constructed; fortunately, Elvira
Wheeler provided a sum for construction and furnishings in her will, and
Ann M. Sawyer bequeathed the present site on East Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The Trustees then arranged to qualify for aid under the
Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works; in June of 1936, the
beautiful new library was dedicated to the residents of Lockport; and

WHEREAS, From 1945-1949, Elizabeth Hesser held the title of
librarian until Helen Ludlow took over the position; for the next 20
years, Helen diligently worked to incorporate then-modern services, to
adapt the existing space to hold more books and to upgrade the quality
of the collection; and

WHEREAS, After Helen Ludlow's death In 1969, Janet Nixon took over
the Directorship, a position she held until June of 1981; in this
capacity, she established one of the state's earliest programs of
delivering books and other materials to the homebound, senior
institutions and local nursing homes; and

WHEREAS, From 1981-June of 1996, Christa Caldwell served as the
Director; throughout her tenure, she strived to automate library
services; in 1986, the Library offered on-line catalogs for the public

and expanded reference services to include various electronic means of
providing information; and

WHEREAS, In 1992, with active citizen participation, the Library
Board successfully proposed to the Board of Education the adoption of a
bond issue to finance a major expansion and renovation of the existing
library building; the resulting 36,000 square foot building more than
doubled the usable space by adding a three-floor totally modern addition
to the existing building which was remodeled and renovated; and

WHEREAS, Equipped for the electronic age, spacious, attractive and
comfortable, the "new" Library was dedicated in February of 1994, with
added collections of videos and compact discs, a public meeting room in
addition to a Children's and Youth story room and total handicapped
accessibility through an elevator and a new entrance off Chestnut
Street; and

WHEREAS, Margaret (Peg) Lynch succeeded Christa Caldwell in 1996,
continuing as Library Director until her retirement in 2006; in 1999,
under the auspices of the Niagara Area Foundation, an Endowment Fund was
to assist the Library with future needs; and

WHEREAS, Marie Bindeman then served as the Director until 2011;
throughout her tenure, she and her devoted staff enhanced the Library's
web site, upgraded public access computers and improved wireless access,
implemented an annual One Book One Community program, improved
in-library displays and activities, inaugurated the John S. Koplas
Memorial Lecture Series, and established a monthly print and online
library newsletter; and

WHEREAS, Today, Lockport Public Library's collection includes
audiobooks and CDs, videos, DVDs, and music CDs; in addition to the
catalog and borrower account information, online services include access
to the Internet, database and magazine indexes, readers' advisory and
24/7 online reference services, book clubs, and a website linking
patrons to the Library; and

WHEREAS, For 125 years, Lockport Public Library has promised to
serve its community as "Your LibraryàAn Open Door"; and

WHEREAS, The success of the Lockport Public Library is in direct
correlation to the efforts of its Director Beverly Federspiel and her
staff, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an
impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising
standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and
the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Lockport
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 125th Anniversary of the Lockport Public Library; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Beverly Federspiel, Director, Lockport Public Library.