PRINTER'S NO. 2662
No. 457 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY CURRY, BENNINGHOFF, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN,
DALEY, DONATUCCI, FREEMAN, GEIST, GINGRICH, GRUCELA,
HENNESSEY, HESS, KULA, MANN, MAJOR, McILHATTAN, MUNDY,
M. O'BRIEN, PARKER, RAMALEY, QUINN, READSHAW, SANTONI,
SCHRODER, K. SMITH, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI, RAPP, ROHRER, SAYLOR,
SIPTROTH, SWANGER, WATSON, BAKER, BEYER, BRENNAN, CAUSER,
CONKLIN, DiGIROLAMO, FLECK, GALLOWAY, GEORGE, GOODMAN,
HARHART, HERSHEY, JAMES, KENNEY, MAHONEY, MANTZ, MILLARD,
MURT, PALLONE, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, REED, SAINATO, SCAVELLO,
R. STEVENSON, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 17, 2007
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 17, 2007
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the East Cheltenham Free
2 Library located in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Access to free public libraries supports the
4 democratic ideals of our American form of government, which
5 requires citizens who are informed, educated and involved; and
6 WHEREAS, Public libraries enhance the lives of Pennsylvanians
7 as cost-effective information providers that support children,
8 students and community members of all ages, and they are
9 lifelong learning centers that promote literacy; and
10 WHEREAS, Public libraries are dynamic institutions which
11 provide electronic resources, such as access to the Internet,
12 and integrate new and emerging technologies; and
13 WHEREAS, In the year 1956, the members of the Cheltenham
1 Civic Association formed a steering committee to assess the need
2 for a community library; and
3 WHEREAS, The movement for a library grew, and in the spring
4 of 1957, plans were made to establish a library in Cheltenham;
5 and
6 WHEREAS, A group of interested citizens met and became the
7 board of directors of the East Cheltenham Library and set
8 October 5, 1957, as the opening date; and
9 WHEREAS, The library opened as scheduled, even though the
10 books had not all arrived, with the collection consisting of 300
11 books and 100 additional books on loan from the Montgomery
12 County Bookmobile; and
13 WHEREAS, By 1960, the library opened its main room, which
14 doubled the space available for library use; and
15 WHEREAS, In 1967, the Friends of the Library group was formed
16 to widen support, create interest in the library and provide
17 financial assistance through fundraising, and today its members
18 continue to faithfully support the library in this mission; and
19 WHEREAS, The following year, the building was renovated and
20 the children's room was opened on the second floor; and
21 WHEREAS, In 1969, the Cheltenham Township Library Association
22 became the Cheltenham Township Library System, which today
23 includes the East Cheltenham, Elkins Park, Glenside and LaMott
24 Free Libraries; and
25 WHEREAS, In September 1978, due to continued growth, the East
26 Cheltenham Library was relocated to space provided by Cheltenham
27 Township in the Rowland Community Center; and
28 WHEREAS, The goals of the East Cheltenham Free Library
29 include fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning by
30 providing free and convenient access to information, technology
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1 and entertainment, with its well-trained staff responding to the
2 dynamics of the diverse surrounding community in a welcoming
3 environment; and
4 WHEREAS, As part of an innovative library system, the
5 principals, supporters and staff of the East Cheltenham Free
6 Library respond with promptness and flexibility to changes in
7 technology and the needs of the community; and
8 WHEREAS, The library serves as a vital community-gathering
9 place with a knowledgeable staff and 14 computers for public
10 use; and
11 WHEREAS, The East Cheltenham Free Library is marking its 50th
12 anniversary by hosting a celebration during the weekend of
13 October 20, 2007, which will take place in the Rowland Community
14 Center; therefore be it
15 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
16 East Cheltenham Free Library on the momentous and joyous special
17 occasion of the celebration of its 50th anniversary; and be it
18 further
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the
20 East Cheltenham Free Library's principals, supporters and staff
21 for their years of dedication and effective service to the
22 community and extend best wishes for continued success; and be
23 it further
24 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
25 the East Cheltenham Free Library, 400 Myrtle Avenue, Rowland
26 Community Center, Cheltenham, Pennsylvania 19012.
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