[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6446]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 CENTRAL NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PENNINGTON 
                             PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 125th 
anniversary of the Pennington Public Library. In 1876 a dozen local 
women took it upon themselves to found a library within the village of 
Pennington. With a late-Victorian zeal for self improvement, the group 
organized the Ladies' Library Association of Pennington and forever 
changed the history of this small town.
  The Pennington Public Library began with a single bookcase and a 
purchase fund of $49. In 1889, the library boasted approximately 1,200 
volumes. Today, the library has over 3,700 cardholders that enjoy over 
23,000 books, 60 magazines, six newspapers, and one computer, complete 
with Internet capability.
  Libraries are true community centers. They create environments where 
students can do their homework, townspeople can gather, families can 
interact, seniors can learn new skills, and job seekers can find 
advice. They are masters at building partnerships, linking everyone 
from day care centers, garden clubs and 4H clubs to Head Start and 
junior colleges, to extend their reach throughout the community.
  Although much has changed over the years, Pennignton Library's 
mission is the same--to supply useful and profitable reading for the 
community and implant in the minds of our youths an everlasting desire 
for information. Today, a dedicated group of volunteers continue to 
carry out this 19th-century mission.
  For over 125 years the Pennington Public Library has remained an 
integral part of the Hopewell community. I urge all my colleagues to 
join me today in recognizing the Library's steadfast dedication to 
serving the growing needs of our community.

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