[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 16, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1791]]
                 HONORING THE SHREWSBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 2003

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join the community of 
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts in celebrating the 100th birthday of the 
original building of the Shrewsbury Public Library.
  Dedicated in September 1903, through the generosity of a trust fund 
established by Jubal Howe, the library has served the town well from 
its central location on the town common. The Artemas Ward annex was 
added in 1922 in memory of the Revolutionary War hero, and in 1978 a 
town meeting voted a major addition and renovation project. For those 
who could not travel to the library, Anthony and Olive Borgatti donated 
a bookmobile in 1959 that for many years traveled to neighborhoods with 
an assortment of reading materials for loan. Today, the Town of 
Shrewsbury is again looking at ways to expand the size of the library 
to keep up with a growing population.
  The Shrewsbury Public Library is one of the finest in the area and 
includes 135,000 books, 354 art prints, over 3,500 videocassettes, and 
subscriptions to 14 newspapers and over 160 magazines. It has the 
second highest library circulation in Worcester County. The library has 
children's story hours, conversation circles, book discussion groups, 
and family activities. With 100 years history in this library building, 
many wonderful stories have been told and enjoyed. Many lessons have 
been learned and many adventures have occurred by the simple turning of 
a page.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that the entire U.S. House of Representatives 
joins me in congratulating the Shrewsbury Public Library on 100 years 
of dedicated service to the people of Shrewsbury. It is an honor for me 
to be part of this special celebration.

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