[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE HOWARD COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR BEING NAMED LIBRARY OF 
   THE YEAR AND MR. MATTHEW WINNER OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, FOR BEING 
     HONORED BY THE PRESIDENT AS ONE OF TWELVE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY 
                        ``CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 14, 2013

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Howard 
County Library System for being named Library of the Year, and Mr. 
Matthew Winner of Columbia, Maryland, for being honored by the 
President as one of twelve museum and library ``Champions of Change.''
   Each year, one of the 21,000 public and academic libraries in the 
United States, Canada and Mexico is awarded this prestigious honor. The 
winning library is one that ``most profoundly demonstrates creativity, 
leadership and innovation in developing signature events and 
initiatives, particularly those that can be emulated by others.'' I 
extend my congratulations to CEO and President, Valerie Gross, and to 
her remarkable team of educators and support staff at the Howard County 
libraries. It is the first library system in the entire mid-Atlantic 
region to receive this award.
   My parents always stressed the value of libraries as a tool for 
learning and enrichment. Now, as a parent myself, I have tried to do 
the same with my children. In this regard, the Howard County Library 
System and its patrons truly set an example for communities and 
families throughout our country. It is comprised of six branches that 
serve over 280,000 residents. Remarkably, 90 percent of those residents 
have and use library cards. The library system has the highest 
borrowing rate per capita in the United States, with over 7 million 
items checked out annually. The library is at the center of the 
educational, cultural and social network of Howard County.
   The success of the Howard County Library System is a testament to 
the dedicated staff and administrators of the library system, but also 
the commitment of the people of Howard County to the value of education 
and lifelong learning. Congratulations to the Howard County Public 
Library System, a 21st-century library system worthy of this 
distinguished honor.
   I would also like to congratulate Howard County resident and public 
school teacher and librarian, Matthew Winner of Columbia, Maryland, for 
being honored by the President as one of twelve museum and library 
``Champions of Change.'' Winner is the co-author of the forthcoming 
book, Teaching Math with the Wii, the ``Busy Librarian'' blog, and he 
was recently named a 2013 Library Journal ``Mover & Shaker'' in the 
category of Tech Leaders. Through his innovative thinking and 
dedication to captivating the attention and potential of our students 
through gaming and other popular technologies, Mr. Winner is a leader 
in his field and making a real difference in his community. He is fully 
deserving of this recognition, and I offer him my thanks and 
congratulations.

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