[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE NAPA COUNTY LIBRARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 9, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Napa County Library (NCL), which is celebrating its 100th anniversary 
as a county library system.
  In 1916, the California State Legislature authorized the creation of 
free county libraries around the state. As a result, in February of 
that year, the unincorporated areas of Napa County gained library 
services when the Napa County Board of Supervisors established the Napa 
County Free Library.
  The NCL offers reading programs for all ages, outreach services, 
literacy initiatives, job-search and small business resources, 
information services, computer training, Internet access, and other 
means of community support and enrichment. More generally, the library 
enables individuals to make informed decisions about their self-
governance by promoting unrestricted access to information and by 
serving as a community center for lifelong learning. In the last fiscal 
year, over 18,000 people received technology-related help, while 
567,192 individuals visited the NCL. And over 4,000 adults, children 
and teens participated in the NCL's summer reading program.
  The library's importance extends beyond its bookshelves. Basic 
literacy and computer-proficiency programs have broad and positive 
effects on local economies, bolstering the capabilities of local 
workers and businesses. Furthermore, the NCL's myriad child- and 
employment-focused initiatives help children and adults find, evaluate 
and use information they need for their jobs, health, education and 
success.
  Mr. Speaker, the NCL is a dynamic civic resource that promotes free 
and open access to information, while providing valuable materials and 
services to all members of the community. The Napa County Library 
continues to benefit its community immensely, and it is fitting and 
proper that we honor it here today.

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