[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE GRAND REOPENING OF THE VALLEY RANCH LIBRARY

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                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2014

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the completion of 
the Valley Ranch Library's renovation project. The library has been 
serving the citizens of Irving, Texas, since 1996 with an amazing 
collection of books, educational programs, and meeting spaces for 
community groups.
  The history of the Valley Ranch Library begins in 1996 when it 
established its operations in a rental space no larger than 10,000 
square feet. Following its opening, the library quickly became one of 
the busiest branches in the Irving Public Library system.
  In June of 2006, the City of Irving initiated the construction 
project of a new 26,000 square foot library at 401 Cimarron Trail. In 
less than two years, the Valley Ranch Library celebrated its new 
facility at the grand opening ceremony in October of 2007. The new 
library brought new features to the community such as additional study 
rooms, public computers, and a cafe. Of the entire constructed 
facility, 5,000 square feet was left unfinished for future expansion.
  In September of 2012, the citizens of Irving voted on a bond sale to 
complete the Valley Ranch Library, and in October of 2013, the library 
renovation project began.
  The library expansion included more community meeting spaces, 
increased shelving by 20%, defined children's areas for a more 
comfortable experience of all ages, and the addition of a digital media 
lab.
  The Valley Ranch Library is the second busiest and next-largest 
branch in the Irving Public Library system, after the Central Library. 
The library's surrounding community is composed of families focused on 
education; consequently, the library operates to meet and exceed the 
community's demand for educational resources and programs. The programs 
are often filled to capacity and patrons are known for maximizing their 
50-book limit every three weeks.
  Since the establishment of the facility in 2006, the Valley Ranch 
Library has grown significantly as demonstrated by the following 
statistics. The library has grown 72% in visitation, 26% in items 
checked out, 44% in collection size, 40% in reference requests, and 87% 
in public computer usage.
  I am extremely appreciative of the City of Irving and the Irving 
Public Library system for continuing to address the needs of the 
community by enhancing the quality of their infrastructure. Mr. 
Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I ask 
all my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the City 
of Irving and Irving Public Library on the completion of the Valley 
Ranch Library's renovation project.

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