H*4203 Resolution, By Lourie, Bales, J. Brown, Cotty, Harrison, Howard, 
J.H. Neal, Quinn, Rutherford, Scott and J.E. Smith
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE
 OUTSTANDING JOB IT DOES PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF THE MIDLANDS AND
 TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BEEN SINGLED OUT WITH
 THE HIGHEST HONOR A PUBLIC LIBRARY MAY RECEIVE, BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL
 LIBRARY OF THE YEAR 2001.

   05/29/01  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-84

TO COMMEND THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE OUTSTANDING JOB IT DOES PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF THE MIDLANDS AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY HAS BEEN SINGLED OUT WITH THE HIGHEST HONOR A PUBLIC LIBRARY MAY RECEIVE, BEING NAMED THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF THE YEAR 2001.

Whereas, the Richland County Public Library has recently been selected as the National Library of the Year 2001 by Library Journal, a trade journal for libraries, and the Gale Group, the nation's largest publisher of reference books for libraries; and

Whereas, the Richland County system with its nine branches, has nearly two million visitors annually and offers one million books, nearly ninety thousand microfilms, more than three thousand periodicals, and fifty-four newspapers for circulation to its patrons; and

Whereas, one of this year's judges said she was swayed by the library's dedication to the community. As this lady said, "This is an institution that embraces the community. It isn't just a building; it's become part of the fabric of people's lives."; and

Whereas, the award was given to the library, in part, for its creativity and innovation in developing community programs. It is a leader in technology. The library was the first in the Southeast to have dial-up access to its databases and catalogs; and

Whereas, the Richland County Library is known for its work with children, including its popular story telling program and one of the country's largest summer reading programs. Last year, approximately seventeen thousand children took part in the program that encourages them to read in the summer; and

Whereas, in recent years, the library has been consistently recognized as one of the best in the country. In the fall of 2000, it was ranked fourth among urban libraries serving populations of two hundred fifty thousand to five hundred thousand. In 1999, the Richland County Library was chosen as the number one large library system in the Southeast; and

Whereas, the citizens of the Midlands support the library system and show their appreciation by patronizing the library's many programs and using its facilities; and

Whereas, the library officials are to be commended for their hard work in building a stellar library system. The officials have earned the highest honor of having the best library system in the country. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution commend the Richland County Public Library for the outstanding job it does providing services to the citizens of the Midlands and recognize that the Richland County Public Library has been singled out with the highest honor a public library may receive, being named the National Library of the Year 2001.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Richland County Public Library Director, David Warren.