[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO EDWARDSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Edwardsville 
Public Library of Illinois as we celebrate its 100th anniversary. For 
the last 100 years, the library and staff have served the residents of 
Edwardsville and the surrounding area.
  The first library in Edwardsville was established in 1819; just one 
year after Illinois was admitted into the Union. In 1823, the 
Edwardsville Library Association was chartered and it was again revived 
in 1879. In 1903, through the efforts of the Library Board President 
Charles Boeschenstein, Edwardsville was given a gift of $12,500 from 
Andre Carnegie. On June 26, 1906 the library building was dedicated.
  The library has gone through several structural changes over the 
years, including growing from 8,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. 
No matter the structural changes, the library patrons still have access 
to a wealth of information and resources.
  It is my pleasure to congratulate the people that have made the 
Edwardsville Public Library a sanctuary of intellectuality for 100 
years and I wish all the best for the years to come.

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