Senate Resolution No. 1738
BY: Senator O'MARA
COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the Fred &
Harriett Taylor Memorial Library
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those institutions of high purpose and worthy
accomplishment whose endeavors have faithfully served the citizens of
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial
Library, to be celebrated on Saturday, April 25, 2026; and
WHEREAS, The Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library was founded in
1876 in Hammondsport, New York, by a group of dedicated citizens; in its
beginnings, the library was merely a single shelf of 388 volumes located
in a local drug store; and
WHEREAS, Since its founding, the Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial
Library has moved 6 times; it began as a shelf in a drug store, then
operated out of two school buildings from 1896-1935, then to a location
on Shether Street before moving to a building on Lake Street, and
finally, in 2005, a group of citizens led by Katherine Meade raised
funds for the library to open its own independent building and current
home in 2007; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its long history, the Fred & Harriett Taylor
Memorial Library has been a reliable resource for literature,
information, and community needs; in addition to checking out books, the
library is proud to provide movies, video games, passes to local
museums, fishing poles, electronic equipment, games, and much more; and
WHEREAS, The Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library is committed to
providing services beyond borrowing materials, and they do this by
offering over 500 programs a year covering subjects such as local
interests, history, arts & crafts, music, literacy, education, and
environmental studies; and
WHEREAS, The programs and services at the Fred & Harriett Taylor
Memorial Library are curated for everyone of all ages and backgrounds,
and the library intentionally collaborates with the local school,
scouts, museums, social services, and other community organizations; and
WHEREAS, The staff and librarians at the Fred & Harriett Taylor
Memorial Library have a strong commitment to supporting everyone that
enters the library, and oftentimes staff can be found connecting
citizens with hotlines, care, services, and community resources; and
WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 150-year history, the Fred &
Harriett Taylor Memorial Library has demonstrated continuous service to
the residents and communities which it serves; through its resources and
community programming, the library successfully mirrors the creative,
innovative, and thoughtful community of Hammondsport; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library
is in direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated past and
present board members, staff, and volunteers, 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 organization and the community it serves; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, the Fred &
Harriett Taylor Memorial 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 Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial
Library, celebrating its remarkable history, achievements, and
contributions to its community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Fred & Harriett Memorial Library.
