TITLE: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Georgetown Public Library.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Georgetown Public Library.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Georgetown Public Library will be celebrating its first half-century in March 2016, and the beginning of its 50th anniversary year provides a welcome occasion to take note of this distinguished institution's history; and WHEREAS, Before the public library was established, residents of Georgetown used the libraries of the local school district or Southwestern University if they wished to borrow a book, though many of the popular titles requested by readers were unavailable there; and WHEREAS, In response to demand, the Georgetown Public Library was opened on March 21, 1966, in two small, poorly lit rooms off Main Street, with $21 in its account, a volunteer staff, and a collection of 1,200 books; in June of that year, fewer than 1,000 books were checked out, but by 1970, the library had grown enough to require its own building, and in 1987, it moved again, to Martin Luther King Jr. Street; and WHEREAS, Since 2007, the Georgetown Public Library has been housed in a 54,000-square-foot building that features a kid-friendly first floor and a quieter section on the second floor; this thriving institution operates with an annual budget of $2 million and boasts a collection of nearly 111,000 books and 6,700 DVDs, and today it loans out as many items in a single day as it used to in a month; and WHEREAS, The library also enjoys the support of the Friends of the Georgetown Library; this dedicated and hardworking group of volunteers numbers more than 740 members, making it one of the largest such associations in the state; and WHEREAS, For nearly half a century, the Georgetown Public Library has been a source of enlightenment, inspiration, and delight to countless area residents, and it is a pleasure to recognize this vital community resource; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the 50th anniversary year of the Georgetown Public Library and extend to its staff, volunteers, and patrons sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the library as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Farney Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1674 was adopted by the House on April 23, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House