[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2219-S2220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE WESTPORT LIBRARY

 Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize the 
Westport Library as it celebrates the release of its first vinyl 
record.
  Public libraries serve vital roles in our communities, providing no-
fee access to collections of books, films, and other media, as well as 
to computers and the internet. They are hubs of community interaction, 
and now, in Westport, CT, a creative outlet for local musicians.
  Founded in 1886, the Westport Library has been enriching the 
community for almost a century and a half. In addition to its full 
collection of books for readers of all ages, the library is

[[Page S2220]]

home to a MakerSpace, a Library of Things, a seed library, a cafe and 
store, and a collection of professional artwork. These resources make 
the Westport Library one of the best libraries in all of America--a 
``noisy library,'' as its supporters say, and a true jewel of the 
community.
  Over the past year, Westport Library has added a new innovation to 
their impressive collection: Verso Studios, a state-of-the-art 
recording studio based in the library itself. On June 3, 2023, I was 
proud to join the library in celebrating the release of its first 
record: ``Verso Records: Volume One'' on vinyl. This record is the 
product of collaboration among local artists and is the first of its 
kind issued by a public library.
  This endeavor is an example of Westport at its best, the vision and 
vibrancy of the community and its commitment to artistic achievement, 
powering culture throughout the State of Connecticut.
  I applaud the innovative and important work done by the Westport 
Library and hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating all of 
the staff and supporters of the library on this impressive 
achievement.

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