[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 13, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLMESBURG BRANCH OF THE FREE 
                        LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 13, 2007

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
the Holmesburg Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on 
celebrating its 100th Anniversary. I am proud that the Holmesburg 
Library has served the people of my district as a lending library since 
June 26, 1907.
  The Holmesburg Library was named for Thomas Holme, who was granted 
the land that eventually became the Mayfair section of Philadelphia, in 
payment for his services as Surveyor General to William Penn. The 
Holmesburg Library began its development in the late 1800's, first as a 
subscription library and then becoming a free library in 1899 upon 
entering into an agreement with the Free Library of Philadelphia. In 
1906, Andrew Carnegie, industrialist and philanthropist, donated funds 
for a new library building which opened on June 26, 1907. Andrew 
Carnegie's philosophy was that education is the key to life and that 
all people should have access to information through free local 
libraries.
  The red brick library building sits on the main commercial avenue 
that defines the Mayfair neighborhood. Built in the Carnegie style with 
front steps leading up to a decorative and welcoming entrance, both the 
main and children's reading rooms maintain the integrity of the 
original architectural design to this day.
  The Holmesburg librarians and staff work diligently to maintain the 
library as a hub of learning and community activity. Currently housing 
a collection of over 35,000 books and media as well as computers with 
Internet access for public use, the library has year-round programs 
that engage children and adults in lifelong learning pursuits, some in 
cooperation with local corporations and civic groups. Programs for 
youth include homework assistance, computer literacy, library skills, 
multicultural enrichment, and ``Science in the Summer.'' Adult 
programming includes reading enjoyment, how-to seminars on gardening, 
and other topics of interest. Family programming includes movie nights 
for everyone's enjoyment.
  The volunteer Friends of Holmesburg Library sustain outreach, 
advocacy and fundraising activities to strengthen the library's 
presence in the community. Their most recent venture is the planting of 
a Children's Reading Garden to be dedicated at the Library's 100th 
birthday celebration on June 20, 2007.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating 
Holmesburg Library's 100th anniversary milestone, and wish them many 
more years of community enrichment and service.

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