PRINTER'S NO. 582
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
69
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY FONTANA, DINNIMAN, FARNESE, COLLETT, BARTOLOTTA,
BROWNE, BREWSTER, K. WARD, BAKER, KILLION, MARTIN, SABATINA,
BLAKE, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, FOLMER, J. WARD, YAW, SCHWANK,
STREET, COSTA AND MUTH, APRIL 8, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 8, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 7 through 13, 2019, as "National
Library Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, "National Library Week" is an annual celebration
highlighting the valuable roles libraries, librarians and
library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our
communities; and
WHEREAS, When libraries were started nearly 300 years ago,
books were the focus because bound publications were expensive,
rare and difficult to get; and
WHEREAS, By the 1900s, steel magnate and philanthropist
Andrew Carnegie believed that books could give ordinary people
the knowledge they needed to work, so he used his money to build
more than 2,500 libraries; and
WHEREAS, In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans
were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and
musical instruments; and
WHEREAS, For this reason, the American Library Association
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and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens
organization with the goal of encouraging people to read in
their increasing leisure time to improve income and develop a
strong and healthy family life; and
WHEREAS, For over 60 years, the United States has celebrated
"National Library Week" and the valuable contributions of the
various libraries, librarians and staff and the services and
resources they provide to people of all ages; and
WHEREAS, The 2019 theme of "National Library Week" is
"Libraries = Strong Communities," which illustrates how
libraries are at the heart of our cities, towns, schools and
campuses, providing critical resources, programs and expertise;
and
WHEREAS, Libraries have transformed from their primary
purpose of being a repository of knowledge through lending
books; and
WHEREAS, Today, libraries are a place people go to find
housing, jobs, homework help, computer assistance and nutrition
and health activities, to register for health care, to check out
CDs and DVDs or even to learn a new hobby; and
WHEREAS, A public space where all community members,
regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity or income level,
can come together to connect and learn also exists at libraries;
and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are nearly 119,500 libraries,
including public, academic, school and government, in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, For over 200 years, the Pennsylvania Senate Library
has served as the major source of information on Pennsylvania
government with its collection of legislative documents,
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journals and law books; and
WHEREAS, Beyond its role as a place to research, the Senate
Library also serves as a resource for the numerous collections,
displays and exhibits throughout the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, Most importantly, upholding the true representation
of a library, the Senate Library is open for tours and research
to all General Assembly members, staff and constituents; and
WHEREAS, During "National Library Week," everyone is
encouraged to visit their local library and raise awareness of
the value and impact the library has had on them; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the week of April 7
through 13, 2019, as "National Library Week" in Pennsylvania.
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