Senate Resolution No. 2001
BY: Senator OBERACKER
COMMEMORATING the 100th Anniversary of The
Community Library of Cobleskill, New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 organizations 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 100th Anniversary of The Community Library of
Cobleskill; after being postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Library will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on Saturday, April 2,
2022, with a Roaring 20's themed Tea Party and will display special
exhibits and photos all year in honor of the achievement; and
WHEREAS, Initially named The Cobleskill Free Library, now The
Community Library, was founded on February 12, 1921, in Cobleskill, New
York; despite the changing of names, the goal of building strong
communities by preserving the past, enriching the present, and inspiring
the future by providing free access of knowledge, information, enriching
events, and lifelong learning opportunities to all residents remains the
same; and
WHEREAS, Inspiring the theme for the 100th Anniversary Party, upon
its opening day of February 12, 1921, the Cobleskill Free Library served
tea to 100 guests, inspiring the theme for the 100th Anniversary
celebration; and
WHEREAS, The Community Library has been an invaluable resource for
residents of Cobleskill for 100 years; people come to the Library to
connect, discover, study, participate in story times, book groups, and
various programs for all ages; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the able leadership of Director Kimberly
Zenner, the people who make The Community Library successful with their
unwavering commitment are Librarian for Adult Services, Don LaPlant;
Clerks, Amy Mele, Jackie Barbato and Catherine Sharkey, and the Board of
Trustees, consisting of President, Ken Hotopp; Vice President, Julia
Walter; Financial Officer, Linda Carpenter; Assistant Financial Officer
and Secretary, Virginia Downs; Historian, Harriet Berard, and Trustees,
Fred Barnes, Janice Clark, James Collins, Melodie Neary, Janet Sand and
Julie Santoro; and
WHEREAS, The success enjoyed by The Community Library is in direct
correlation to the efforts of the many individuals who have supported
the development of the Library over the years; and
WHEREAS, John Van Schaik is considered the father of the Cobleskill
library; it was in his parent's house that a meeting of 20 men was held
on September 28, 1920, resulting in the birth of the idea for the
Cobleskill Free Library; and
WHEREAS, On December 2, 1920, a mass meeting was held in the local
high school building with 49 citizens in attendance, where a motion was
made by W.H. Golding that the people of Cobleskill establish a free
library known as The Cobleskill Free Library; the motion was carried
unanimously, and the first nine library trustees, Mrs. Ada Y. Franklin,
Mr. Frank Ryder, Miss Dora Cohn, Mrs. Ida Weiting, Mr. W.B. Golding, Mr.
A.L. Norton, Mr. W.J. Fullerton, Mr. Jared Van Wagenen Jr. and Mr.
Morgan Myers, were established; and
WHEREAS, To fund the library, a campaign was launched on January 10,
1921, with the goal of recruiting 1,000 members to enroll at one dollar
each; the trustees engaged Miss Janet Cornish, graduate of the State
Library School at Albany, as librarian to organize the library; and
WHEREAS, In a true community effort, Dr. Carolyn Olendorf donated
equipment for the children's section, Jesse Norton gave her genealogical
records, Daisy Brown her books of clippings, the Methodist Church
donated the contents of their Sunday School library, and the Cobleskill
Index gave bound newspaper volumes; and
WHEREAS, A special election to finance the library by public
taxation was held on April 29, 1926, and passed in a vote of 148 to 61,
changing the name from Cobleskill Free Library to the Cobleskill Public
Library; and
WHEREAS, After another relocation and renovation supported by a
fundraising campaign, the school district voters of the area passed a
measure on October 6, 1999, to make the library a school district
library, changing its name a final time to The Community Library, the
name it holds to this day; and
WHEREAS, The Library received a helpful grant which allowed for a
revolutionizing renovation in 2007, which added two floors, remodeled
meeting rooms, doubled the number of computers, overhauled plumbing,
heating and electrical systems, and created a railed opening, creating a
great sensation of space; and
WHEREAS, Working diligently throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to
continue to provide services to the residents of Cobleskill, The
Community Library adapted measures that included social distancing, the
wearing of masks, and even curbside book delivery, proving the
dedication of this institution; and
WHEREAS, The Community Library team, in conjunction with the
community, will discuss plans for the next 100 years, including the
expansion into the building's annex, and the hopes for a community room
with afterhours access, teen and youth dedicated rooms for programs, a
Friends cafe and book store, more meeting spaces, and more; and
WHEREAS, Steeped in a proud and distinguished history, The Community
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 100th Anniversary of The Community Library of
Cobleskill; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Kimberly Zimmer, Director, The Community Library of
Cobleskill.
