[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM'S 175TH YEAR OF 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 2011

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is with pleasure I acknowledge the 
Buffalo and Erie County Library system's kick-off of their 175th 
anniversary celebration and their summer reading initiatives.
  The first public library service in Western New York began with the 
creation of the Young Men's Association (YMA) in 1836. The association 
circulated 5,500 items to its members in its first year alone.
  50 years later the institution was purchased for the City of Buffalo 
and was re-established as a free circulating reference library open to 
all City residents. By 1897, there were 32,000 registered borrowers.
  Today with over 3.5 million items in circulation and 37 locations, 
the Buffalo and Erie County libraries have served nearly 4 million 
patrons.
  With a diversity of programs including adult computer training, 
resume tips and techniques seminars as well as preschool story hour--
the libraries continue to serve as centers of information, culture and 
entertainment for the residents of Erie County.
  It is with great pride that I stand today to commemorate the Buffalo 
and Erie County Library system's 175th year of service. I am grateful 
for the array of programs and services they offer to the Western New 
York community and am happy to acknowledge the kick-off to their summer 
reading initiatives.

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