[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 70 (Thursday, June 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FRIENDS OF THE SMYRNA LIBRARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor today, as a 
resident of Smyrna, Georgia, to recognize an exceptional organization 
that has just recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. On April 10, 
1990, eight concerned citizens of Cobb County met and formed The 
Friends of the Smyrna Library. During its first four years, the group 
grew very slowly until 1994, when the president--Mrs. Lillie Wood--was 
elected, and she immediately began a search for new members. Under her 
leadership, the Friends of the Smyrna Library has grown to over 400 
members, and is now one of the largest library support groups in 
Georgia.
  The Friends of the Library are very active. They coordinate art 
exhibits for library galleries; schedule exhibits of collectibles and 
sculpture for display; host an annual dinner theater; conduct two book 
sales yearly; hold quarterly speaker programs; recruit library 
volunteers; and sponsor a monthly book discussion program.
  In addition to everything else it does, the Friends publishes a 
quarterly news letter, The Library Link, which features library news, 
book reviews, a guide to suggested reading, and articles by library 
friends and staff. Under the editorship of Clare Isanhour, The Library 
Link has been recognized as one of the most attractive and 
professionally produced library publications in Georgia.
  The Friends have donated over $40,000 to the library for the purchase 
of new materials, and the members have donated thousands of hours of 
time to the library as volunteers. This enables the library to provide 
a much higher level of service to the public than would otherwise have 
been possible.
  I join my fellow citizens of Smyrna, Georgia, in saluting the public 
service provided by The Friends of the Smyrna Library and its 
outstanding president.

                          ____________________