[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 106 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL LIBRARY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2007

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise to support National Library Day 
on the Hill and congratulate the Enoch Pratt Free Library on the grand 
opening of the new Southeast Anchor Library in the Highlandtown 
neighborhood of Baltimore, the first library to be built and open in 
the city in 35 years. I'm very proud to have attended the ribbon 
cutting ceremony recently and am thoroughly impressed by the depth of 
services that this new branch will offer our community. This 27,000-
square-foot facility is state-of-the-art with an 80,000-volume 
collection. It will also have nearly 60 computers for public use, a 
self check-out counter, a drive-up window, a cafe, multi-purpose 
meeting rooms and a computer lab. To the community, the Southeast 
Anchor offers more than just a quiet place to read and learn. It offers 
a gathering place and an intellectual hub for the City of Baltimore.
  In its annual State of American Libraries report last year, the 
American Library Association found that 92 percent of the population 
believed libraries were still needed despite technological 
advancements. It also found that 63 percent of all Americans have 
library cards and that public libraries are the primary point of online 
access for people without Internet connections at home, school or work. 
The Pratt system, now with a southeast presence, is indeed a reflection 
of Baltimore's thirst for learning. Through the Pratt, every 
Baltimorean has the opportunity to learn and gain knowledge otherwise 
not accessible.
  The combined dedication of the staff and volunteer corps at the Enoch 
Pratt Free Library has made it possible for Baltimore's youth to truly 
believe that ``Your Journey Starts Here''. Madam Speaker, I know that 
the House of Representatives will join me in congratulating the library 
community on its tremendous accomplishment. It truly is the ``Year of 
the Pratt''.

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