[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5165-S5166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, as a strong supporter of Federal 
programs to strengthen and protect libraries, I am pleased to recognize 
April 6 to 12 as National Library Week. This is the 45th anniversary of 
this national observance, and its longevity is evidence of the great 
importance our Nation places on libraries, books, reading, and 
education.
  National Library Week grew out of 1950s research that showed a 
troublesome trend Americans were spending more money on radios and 
television and less on buying books. The American Library Association 
and the American Book Publishers joined forces and introduced the first 
National Library Week in 1958 in an effort to encourage people to read 
and to use their libraries.
  When the free public library came into its own in this country in the 
19th century, it was, from the beginning, a unique institution because 
of its commitment to the principle of a free and open exchange of 
ideas, much like the Constitution itself. Libraries continue to be an 
integral part of all that our country embodies: freedom of information, 
an educated citizenry, and an open and enlightened society.
  I firmly believe libraries play an indispensable role in our 
communities. They promote reading and quench a thirst for knowledge 
among adults, adolescents, and children. More importantly, they provide 
the access and resources to allow citizens to obtain timely and 
reliable information that is so necessary in our fast-paced society. In 
this age of rapid technological advancement, libraries are called upon 
to provide not only books and periodicals, but many other valuable 
resources as well--audiovisual materials, computer services, internet 
access terminals, facilities for community lectures and performances, 
tapes, records, videocassettes, and works of art for exhibit and loan 
to the public.
  Libraries provide a gateway to a new and exciting world for all--the 
place where a spark is often struck for disadvantaged citizens who, for 
whatever reason, have not had exposure to the vast stores of knowledge 
and emerging technology available to others. In this information age, 
they play a critical role in bridging the digital divide. Many families 
cannot afford personal computers at home, yet the role of computers has 
become almost necessary to a basic educational experience. The children 
of these families would suffer without the access to emerging 
technology that libraries provide to all patrons regardless of income. 
In addition, special facilities libraries provide services for older 
Americans, people with disabilities, and hospitalized citizens.
  During National Library Week, I wish to salute those individuals who 
are members of the library community and work so hard to ensure that 
our citizens and communities continue to enjoy the tremendous rewards 
available through our libraries. Library staff, volunteers, and patrons 
work to ensure existing libraries run smoothly and have adequate 
resources, as well as advocate for increased funding and new libraries.
  I am proud that Maryland is a State of readers. Recent statistics 
show that Maryland citizens borrowed more public library materials per 
person than those of almost any other State, nearly 9 per person. In 
addition, 67 percent of the State's population are registered library 
patrons. We are lucky to have 24 public library systems, providing a 
full range of library services to all Maryland citizens and a long 
tradition of open and unrestricted sharing of resources. The State 
Library Network that provides interlibrary loans to the State's public, 
academic, special libraries, and school library media centers has 
enhanced this policy. Marylanders have responded to this outstanding 
service by showing their continued enthusiasm and support for our 
public libraries.
  I have worked closely with members of the Maryland Library 
Association, colleges and universities, and others involved in the 
library community throughout the State, and I am very pleased to join 
with them and citizens throughout the Nation in this week's celebration 
of National Library Week.

[[Page S5166]]

I look forward to continuing this relationship with those who enable 
libraries to provide the unique and vital services available to all 
Americans.
  I ask unanimous consent that the attached op-ed by Carla Hayden, 
``Don't Take Libraries for Granted,'' be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                 [From the Baltimore Sun, Apr. 9, 2003]

                    Don't Take Libraries for Granted

                          (By Carla D. Hayden)

       Americans have several beacons of light in what seem to be 
     dark and fearful times, among them libraries.
       The Enoch Pratt Free Library is proud to join the American 
     Library Association in celebrating all that libraries have to 
     offer during National Library Week this week.
       Every day, more than 120,000 librarians nationwide connect 
     students, families, senior citizens, businesspeople, teachers 
     and professors with the information they need to be 
     successful in a swiftly changing and increasingly troubled 
     era.
       Americans rely on libraries for help in finding jobs, using 
     the Internet, demystifying technology, getting free access to 
     thousands of books and videotapes and connecting with their 
     neighbors and colleagues. And this couldn't be more relevant 
     in Baltimore City, where more than 23 percent of our 
     residents live at or below the poverty level.
       The staff at the Pratt works to meet the needs of the 
     community by providing seminars on race relations, building 
     personal assets, entrepreneurship, computer training and 
     more.
       As the State Library Resource Center for Maryland, the 
     Pratt is dedicated to assisting residents across the state in 
     finding information they need 24 hours a day, seven days a 
     week. We are a major support of the new ``Ask Us Now'' 
     statewide library reference service, an invaluable resource. 
     And it's all free of charge.
       Librarians are committed to freedom of access to 
     information and are fighting to ensure that such freedom 
     remains intact so that no one is afraid to search for answers 
     to important questions. It is often easy to take our 
     libraries and librarians for granted.
       Carla D. Hayden is the executive director of the Enoch 
     Pratt Free Library and president-elect of the American 
     Library Association.

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