1Congratulating the Whitehall Public Library on its 50th
2anniversary.

3WHEREAS, Having a first-class public library was a priority
4for the citizens of the Borough of Whitehall, Allegheny County;
5and

6WHEREAS, From the establishment of Whitehall in 1948, public
7interest in a library was apparent and in 1961, when land was
8purchased for a municipal building, space for a library became
9an integral part of the proposed building's design; and

10WHEREAS, The Friends of the Whitehall Public Library,
11established in 1961, conducted fund drives for the proposed
12library and raised approximately $20,000 which was enough to
13purchase 4,000 new books for the library; and

14WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the famed biography by Carl
15Sandburg, was designated as the first cataloged title in the
16library's original collection; and

17WHEREAS, On May 5, 1963, the Whitehall Public Library was

1officially dedicated; and

2WHEREAS, The library has been an integral and treasured part
3of the community, receiving steadfast financial support from
4the borough, the Friends of the Whitehall Public Library and
5generous patrons, and since its establishment it has expanded
6twice; and

7WHEREAS, Throughout its 50-year history, the library has been
8dedicated to public service and its dedication to public service
9continues to this day, as reflected in its mission statement,
10"The community resource for education, exploration, enrichment
11and enjoyment"; and

12WHEREAS, The library has received numerous national and State
13grant awards; and

14WHEREAS, The library has also received public recognition for
15the unique services it offers to older adults and seniors, young
16children from birth to three years of age and ESL learners from
17the area's resettled refugee population; and

18WHEREAS, The library will be honoring its past and looking
19forward to its bright future at its 50th anniversary celebration
20on May 5, 2013; therefore be it

21RESOLVED, That the Senate congratulate the Whitehall Public
22Library on its 50th anniversary; and be it further

23RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the
24Whitehall Public Library, 100 Borough Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA
2515236.