Bill Text: NY J01799 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Mary E. Ferris upon the occasion of her retirement after 50 years of distinguished service to Wood Library in Canandaigua, New York on March 1, 2024

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 41-21)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-13 - ADOPTED [J01799 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01799-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1799

BY: Senator HELMING

        HONORING  Mary  E. Ferris upon the occasion of her
        retirement after 50 years of  distinguished  service
        to Wood Library in Canandaigua, New York on March 1,
        2024

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body 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 honor
Mary E. Ferris upon the occasion of her retirement  after  50  years  of
distinguished  service to Wood Library in Canandaigua, New York on March
1, 2024; and

  WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, Mary Ferris has  rendered  faithful,
conscientious,  and valuable service to Wood Library in Canandaigua, New
York; and

  WHEREAS, Starting as Wood Library's first-ever children's  librarian
on  February  1,  1974,  Mary  Ferris  is  responsible  for  all library
programming for children from birth through 5th grade;  she  will  close
the book on an illustrious career that has positively impacted the lives
of  thousands  of  children and families over a half-century on March 1,
2024; and

  WHEREAS, A highly educated individual, Mary Ferris is a graduate  of
the   University  at  Albany  and  earned  her  Master  of  Library  and
Information Science at SUNY Geneseo; and

  WHEREAS, Known for her lively and innovative children's programming,
Mary Ferris has encouraged young readers  with  silly  stories,  magical
flannel  boards, and songs that get even the shyest children singing and
dancing; over the years, Mrs. Ferris has compiled an impressive array of
popular programs, including Mother  Goose  Time,  Time  for  Twos,  Tail
Wagging Tutors, Leggo My Legos, Biblio-Bop Dance Party, Bedtime Stories,
Sensory Playtime, and Take Your Child to the Library Day; and

  WHEREAS,  Devoted  to encouraging the community to read, Mary Ferris
created the Book Bundles project with themed collections  of  books  for
children  and  families  to  "grab and go"; remarkably, over 400 bundles
were circulated in 2022; she also brought reading beyond  the  walls  of
the  library, establishing the StoryWalk at Baker Park and the Adventure
Backpack initiative for kids  to  learn  about  and  explore  the  great
outdoors; and

  WHEREAS, During the challenges of the pandemic, Mary Ferris utilized
her  creativity  and  can-do  spirit  to create a virtual Story Time for
families, a program that continues to this day and  attracts  fans  from
across the country; and

  WHEREAS  Promoting  library services within the community, Mary Ferris
has organized outreach  programs  at  local  schools,  daycare  centers,

churches,  and  the  YMCA;  she  can  be  seen  cheering  on kids at the
Kindergarten bus run or reading stories at summer camps  while  sporting
unforgettable costumes; and

  WHEREAS,  Mary  Ferris  is  a 50-year member of the New York Library
Association, representing the Public Library Section and Youth  Services
Section;  she  has served in numerous positions including President, 1st
Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director; and

  WHEREAS, A true inspiration in her community,  Mary  Ferris  is  the
founding member of the Community Reading Partnership, providing literacy
programs and promoting reading in the home and community; she has served
as  chair  of  this  organization  since  2007; she is also the founding
member of Genesee Storytellers, a professional storytelling troupe  that
performs  programs  for audiences of all ages and conducts workshops for
adults on the art of storytelling; and

  WHEREAS, As a testament to her connection with kids, Mary Ferris has
received numerous awards and recognitions for her incredible career  and
service  to  local  children and families, including the Business Ethics
Award from Canandaigua Rotary; the Woman of  Distinction-Youth  Services
Award   by   the  Canandaigua  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Business  and
Professional Women's Club; and the  Pied  Piper  Award  from  the  Youth
Services Section of the New York Library Association; and

  WHEREAS,  Making  every child feel special, Mary Ferris cares deeply
about helping children develop a lifelong love for reading; and

  WHEREAS, In her capacity as Children's Librarian, Mary Ferris served
with loyalty, honor and distinction; and

  WHEREAS, In her official acts, Mary Ferris was governed  by  a  keen
sense  of  duty  and  always  showed  a  unique grasp of human problems,
earning the admiration, esteem, and affection of  her  colleagues;  now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mary E. Ferris upon the occasion of her retirement after 50  years
of  distinguished  service  to  Wood Library in Canandaigua, New York on
March 1, 2024; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Mary E. Ferris.