[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE NEW HAVEN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 
                           125TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2012

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
join community leaders, literacy advocates, and the many members of the 
New Haven Free Public Library as they gather to celebrate the 
organization's 125th Anniversary. This is an extraordinary milestone 
for this very special City landmark.
  Following the passage of legislation authorizing its establishment 
and with a funding allocation of only twelve thousand dollars, the New 
Haven Free Public Library opened its doors on February 21, 1887 
offering twenty-six newspapers and eight periodicals to its first 
patrons. By June of that same year, circulation of the Library's 
thirty-five hundred volumes began--and they have gone strong ever 
since.
  Libraries are an integral part of our communities. Most of us can 
remember that unique feeling of holding your first library card and 
checking out your first book. Over the course of time, libraries became 
central gathering places for community members--in fact, in many towns 
across the country libraries are still home to town meetings and social 
gatherings. The New Haven Free Public Library is no different.
  Housing scores of volumes from biographies to fiction, science to 
current events, libraries have always been a place where adults and 
children alike can allow their imaginations to run wild. Over the 
course of its 125-year history, the New Haven Free Public Library has 
not only been home to a growing collection of literary work, but within 
its walls the doors of opportunity have been opened to many. Literacy 
programs, computer learning classes, and many more innovative programs 
and services have been offered to support the members of our community.
  The New Haven Free Public Library represents the very best of our 
community. That they are celebrating their 125th Anniversary--that the 
community has always ensured its availability to its citizens--is 
testament to its special place in all of our lives. It is part of our 
past, present and future and I am proud to join all of those gathered 
today in celebrating this very special occasion. I have no doubt that 
the New Haven Free Public Library will continue to serve our community 
well for generations to come.

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