[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 137 (Friday, September 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SALINAS PUBLIC LIBRARY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2009

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 25, 2009

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the Salinas Public Libraries in Salinas, California. In 
1907, the Salinas Civic Club received $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie to 
create a public library. Over the next 2 years they raised another 
$4,000, purchased a site and collected books from the Odd Fellows, the 
Women's Christian Temperance Union, and Daughters of the American West 
libraries. On September 5, 1909, the doors opened for the first time to 
the Carnegie Public Library.
  A city-wide financial crisis in 2005 threatened closure of the 
library. This very real danger was nationally publicized and was 
featured in the movie The Hollywood Librarian. The residents of Salinas 
passed a measure to fund all library operations for 10 years. Today the 
Library Commission and Friends of the Salinas Public Library raise 
thousands of dollars for children's programs, and partner with other 
community organizations and foundations to ensure that the libraries 
remain open, giving needed services to the community.
  All through this year the library celebrated the rich history of the 
people of Salinas, gathering and displaying over 5,000 historic 
photographs, paintings of old Salinas adobes, oral histories of 
prominent residents, historical papers, and other documents. The 
anniversary was the catalyst for public programs and exhibits of the 
memories of the people and places of Salinas. The Centennial voices of 
children, youth and adults became part of the new collection of voices 
in the Library.
  Madam Speaker, the three branches of the Salinas Library--John 
Steinbeck, Cesar Chavez and El Gabilan--encourage reading, and provide 
materials and services to help members of the community meet their 
personal, informational, educational, and cultural needs. This is the 
mission statement of the library, and the 42 dedicated employees more 
than live up to this goal. I know I speak for the whole House in 
saluting the community of Salinas on this joyous occasion.

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