[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 109 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S9881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S9881]]
                  TRIBUTE TO THE HENIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
Henika Public Library on its historic one hundredth anniversary.
  Recently named a district library, Henika library has served Allegan 
county since 1899 when Ms. Julia Robinson Henika bequeathed two 
thousand dollars to the Wayland Ladies Library Association for 
construction of a library building. At that time there were only 500 
volumes of literature, none of which could be checked out. Since then, 
the library has grown to over 35,000 volumes.
  In 1916, Fannie Hoyt was hired as the first librarian and, for the 
first time, books could be checked out of the library. Between 1916 and 
1986 only four librarians have managed the Henika Public Library. This 
stability helps explain the unique environment that has allowed this 
library to prosper for one hundred years.
  In the mid 1990's the library underwent a series of renovations. The 
final result of this remodeling is an historic building, complete with 
Victorian charm, that can accommodate the most recent information 
technology. After serving Allegan county for almost the entire 20th 
century, Henika Public Library is now ready to take on the 21st 
century.
  This library is truly one of the great educational tools in our 
country with a value matched by few others. We owe a great deal of 
thanks to the women of the Ladies Library Club as well as to all of the 
people who have worked at this great institution for the last one 
hundred years. I know I speak for all of Michigan when I commend those 
who have supported this fine institution for its 100 years of 
service.

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