[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DR. PATRICIA SENN BREIVIK HONORED FOR HER ESTEEMED SERVICE AS DEAN OF 
          THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
achievements of Dr. Patricia Senn Breivik as she retires from her 
position as Dean of the University Library at San Jose State 
University. Dr. Breivik's was a leader of the collaboration between the 
San Jose Public Library and the San Jose State University--a merged 
library that opened in August 2003. As a result, the Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Library encompasses the spirit of Silicon Valley as an 
innovative model serving as the area's 21st century information hub.
  It took 6 years to propose, plan, and execute an idea that evolved 
during a breakfast meeting between former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer 
and former San Jose State University president Robert Caret. After Dr. 
Breivik inherited the idea, she went to work with the director of the 
San Jose Public Library to establish a center of exploration and 
learning that would serve the University's 27,000 students, 1,153 
faculty and a busy city of 924,950 people.
  During the time of the planning of this jewel, both libraries faced a 
steady erosion of support as a result of the passage of Proposition 13. 
In addition to shrinking coffers, the libraries also faced the 
challenge of having to remain open substantially more hours than either 
libraries had previously offered because of its increased patronage. 
Now, not only is the King Library co-owned and co-managed, it has one 
online system and one website. Library materials are accessible to all 
users and the staffs work together in technical services, reference, 
circulation and Information Technology support.
  Within a year of its opening, the King Library garnered a number of 
prestigious awards. Among them is the 2004 Gale/Library Journal 
``Library of the Year'' Award that was presented for innovative 
collaboration and acknowledged the cooperative planning between 
university and city officials in risk-taking and vision.
  The King Library is one of the precious jewels of San Jose's cultural 
``necklace'' of treasured museums, theaters, and historical landmarks. 
It serves as a place for friends to meet for a cup of coffee and 
discuss the latest news; a study hall for nerve-wracked students; and a 
place of learning, sharing and, of course, collaboration between people 
of differing education and income levels, ethnicity, language, culture 
and beliefs. Special thanks go to Dr. Breivik for her outstanding work.

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