[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 8, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E148-E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE OPENING OF THE BEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2011

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate 
the grand opening of the Bedford Public Library. On February 12, 2011, 
the library will open its doors to the Bedford community, creating a 
haven for citizens to learn and have fun.
  On June 30, 1964, the first Bedford Public Library opened on Bedford 
Road located in a small house rented by the city. Four years later the 
library moved to a larger home on Forest Ridge Drive. In 1972 a new 
city hall was built, and the library, along with its 19,800 items, 
opened on the first floor of the new facility. By 1987, the 
construction of the 17,000 square foot library on L. Don Dodson Drive 
was completed. In 2001, voters in the city of Bedford approved an $8.85 
million bond package that would allow for the construction of a new 
library.
  The city of Bedford encouraged and incorporated community involvement 
during the library construction process by hosting Library Design 
Workshops. These workshops allowed the citizens to offer suggestions 
about design and layout features of the library that would meet their 
needs as well as the needs of citizens in the future. In July 2008, a 
town hall meeting was held and the community voted on their favorite 
library design.
  In February 2010, construction began on the new Bedford Public 
Library. This facility has been transformed from a one-time grocery 
store into an educational establishment for Bedford residents. The 
library is 40,516 square feet, approximately three times larger than 
the old facility.
  The new library utilizes modern technological and design features, 
which include many energy- and cost-saving elements such as 150 
geothermal wells to heat and cool the building, 824 solar panels, 
reflective roof, added insulation, low E glass and LED ballasted lights 
with monitors throughout the building. The library contains over 
100,000 items including nonfiction and fiction, paperbacks and 
hardbacks, adult and children's classics, DVDs and CDs, and many more. 
The new library also has 65 public access computers for Bedford 
residents to enjoy.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the opening of the new Bedford 
Public Library. This facility exemplifies innovation and education 
within the 24th congressional district of Texas. The Bedford Public 
Library is an investment in the future of all citizens by combining 
cutting-edge technology with hands-on learning. I ask all my 
distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the Bedford Public 
Library.

[[Page E149]]



                          ____________________