Senate Resolution No. 657
BY: Senator RYAN
CONGRATULATING Mary Jean Jakubowski upon the
occasion of her retirement after nearly 30 years of
distinguished service to the Buffalo and Erie County
Public Library
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to
enhance the stature 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
congratulate Mary Jean Jakubowski upon the occasion of her retirement
after nearly 30 years of distinguished service to the Buffalo and Erie
County Public Library; she will officially retire in late June of 2021;
and
WHEREAS, Mary Jean Jakubowski first attended Medaille College; upon
graduation she received her master's degree in information and library
science at the University at Buffalo, New York; her formal education
prepared her for the myriad of questions she has fielded during her
years at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure at Buffalo and Erie County Public
Library, Mary Jean Jakubowski has served in a variety of positions
including, Chief Operating Officer, Human Resources Officer, Central
Library Department Head and as a Librarian; she has also worked in
several departments at the Central Library and the Orchard Park Public
Library; and
WHEREAS, A decade ago, this knowledgeable woman rose through the
ranks to become Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library;
though her accomplishments are numerous and notable, Mary Jean
Jakubowski claims this title is her proudest professional achievement;
this illustrious position will be the one from which she will retire;
and
WHEREAS, Mary Jean Jakubowski's forward thinking has not only raised
the level of community awareness about library services, but has also
encouraged new partnerships, bringing organizations with similar
missions into the Central Library; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mary Jean Jakubowski has created new
initiatives, such as the establishment of the downtown Reading Park and
the mounting of major public exhibits featuring the Library's Rare Books
and Special Collections, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, She has strongly supported advancing access to technology
by restoring bookmobile service with a WiFi-equipped vehicle that
travels to underserved areas of Erie County, as well as expanding access
to free high-speed internet, both inside and outside of library
buildings; and
WHEREAS, Well-versed in all library processes and day-to-day
operations, Mary Jean Jakubowski is extremely effective in leading this
large and complex organization consisting of 37 libraries, nine of them
in the City of Buffalo, and working with a federation of 22 governing
bodies and hundreds of employees, while serving approximately 400,000
library cardholders; and
WHEREAS, After an extraordinary career which traversed nearly three
decades, this amazing woman still finds time to continue with her
favorite nonprofits: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Explore &
More - Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children's Museum, and the Alzheimer's
Association; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Mary Jean Jakubowski brought an
uncompromising standard of excellence to her work and a warm sense of
caring and concern to every person she assisted; and
WHEREAS, Mary Jean Jakubowski's life experience has been varied and
full; this extraordinary woman loves traveling, cooking, baking, reading
and her family; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband, Lawrence, and
her two daughters, Katelyn and Kristen, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of her life and rejoice in her many achievements; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Mary Jean Jakubowski over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Mary Jean Jakubowski upon the occasion of her retirement
after nearly 30 years of distinguished service to the Buffalo and Erie
County Public Library; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mary Jean Jakubowski.