[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                      HON. WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, JR.

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Mr. ZELIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very important 
addition to the community of Bedford, NH. After years of planning, 
fundraising and hard work, the dream of having a public library in the 
town of Bedford has become a reality. On June 23, 1996, the Bedford 
Public Library opened its doors to the people of the surrounding 
community.
  The Bedford Public Library offers more than just a place where an 
individual can go to read, or a child can go to research his or her 
school project. This facility also offers the Bedford community a 
common place to gather. On the lower level visitors will find a coffee 
shop, an art gallery and two community meeting rooms.
  In addition to these amenities, the library has one of the finest 
children's learning centers in New England. The learning center is 
furnished with a puppet theater, a craft-activity area, a reading 
center that includes a section for the reading and hearing impaired, 
and Camelot, a reading castle. Also, included is the computer and 
reference center. Each computer is connected to the Internet and has 
CD-ROM access for state of the art sound and picture collections.
  This library would not have been made possible if it was not for the 
vision of one special person, Ms. Francis Wiggin. Ms. Wiggin 
established a goal more than 35 years ago and with help of the 
trustees, the Bedford Lions Club, the Bedford Rotary Club, the Bedford 
Garden Club, the town and the people of Bedford, she is responsible for 
the creation of this beautiful library.
  I am extremely proud of this community-wide effort and would like to 
congratulate all who have devoted their time and effort to such a great 
cause. I wish the people of Bedford the best of luck with their new 
community facility.

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