HR1097 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1097 LRB094 20034 HSS 57577 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Gail Borden Public Library District was recently named the North Suburban Library System's Library of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Gail Borden Public Library was founded with an innovative and community spirit; Gail Borden, the library's namesake, invented condensed milk to improve public health standards; innovation and a strong sense of community continue to be hallmarks of the library to this day as it continues to reaffirm that a public library is a vibrant community center; and

WHEREAS, Throughout Gail Borden Library's history, there have been many firsts: the first public library in Illinois to adopt an optical scanner for checkout of materials (1974); the first library in the country to create a center for preschoolers, offering intellectual and social stimulation in a creative, hands-on environment (1977); one of the first libraries in the country to install a fiber optic network, linking the library with the City, Elgin Community College, School District U46, and the local cable company (1996); other distinguishing hallmarks include service to the Hispanic population, dating from the mid-1970s with the addition of Spanish-language materials and a bilingual staff member, and formation of a steering committee which led to the creation of Literacy Volunteers of America/Elgin affiliate (1984), which continues to offer tutoring for adult new readers; and

WHEREAS, An integral part of the educational community, the library continually seeks to provide cooperative programs and to share expertise; this can range from class visits to book talks for school library colleagues or mentoring a library school intern; this year, the library's ReaderShip van visited 254 preschools and day care centers, providing stories, puppet shows, and music for children as well as reading tips for teachers and parents; the Youth Services Department hosted a two-week educational series on poetry for Hamilton Wings, an art-based organization for low income and minority children; and

WHEREAS, Most recently, the library hosted "GIANTS: African Dinosaurs Created by Project Exploration"; this multi-faceted project, supported by the Grand Victoria Foundation, Elgin Noon Kiwanis, and the Gail Borden Library Foundation, showcased newly discovered African dinosaurs that lived 135 million years ago, including towering skeletons, original fossil material, touchable exhibitory, and interactive components; this exhibit brought together 225 community volunteers, 50 businesses, organizations, and civic groups, 11,000 child visitors, and 1,500 people who viewed the exhibit; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the amazing efforts of the Gail Borden Public Library District that led to it being named the North Suburban Library System's Library of the Year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Gail Borden Public Library.