[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17552]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                THE CONTRIBUTION OF AMERICA'S LIBRARIES

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2007

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the work of 
America's librarians and the service of America's libraries.
  Over the course of American history, libraries have established 
themselves as national treasures; and not just in the ways that may 
first come to mind. While it is true that every public library, whether 
small or large, is a valuable repository of books, periodicals, and 
electronic media, the greatest asset of all libraries is the people who 
work there. From local public libraries to the Library of Congress, 
America's libraries provide vast resources to people of all walks of 
life. Any individual can go into a public library and know that he or 
she will be treated with respect and care. Whether library patrons need 
help with sorting through an avalanche of information resulting from an 
Internet search, or ideas for a good book to read their child, or 
encouraging words as they struggle to write their resume or maybe even 
the next great American novel, librarians are there to provide quality, 
individualized service. With this in mind, we know that any public 
institution is only as good as its people. Thus, we are fortunate in 
the U.S. to have more than 100,000 public libraries serving our 
residents with experienced, highly skilled librarians.
  In the 21st century, librarians have established themselves as 
critical interlocutors between the knowledge we seek and the plethora 
of locations in which that information resides. It is important to 
recognize the American Library Association (ALA), which has preserved 
the functions of our libraries since 1876. The ALA's mission has been 
``to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement 
of library and information services and the profession of librarianship 
in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for 
all.'' Importantly, the ALA has provided professionals with Master's 
degree programs at nearly 60 universities all over the country.
  It is imperative that we recognize the service of our American 
libraries and their workforce. These institutions have made great 
contributions to the education and progression of our society. With our 
continued support, libraries will continue to serve as an important 
resource for centuries to come.

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