HR0621

LRB096 14690 GRL 29535 r






1

HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3
Representatives are pleased to recognize the accomplishments 
4
of local communities and their commitment to serving their 
5
constituents; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District will 
7
celebrate its 100th anniversary on October 10, 2009; and

 
8
    WHEREAS, In 1909, John Henry Smale, a visiting Episcopal 
9
seminarian from Chicago, and a group of interested citizens, 
10
including Dr. George Brannon and Agnes McHugh, founded the 
11
Manhattan Public Library; the group named Ruby Cockle as the 
12
first librarian; and

 
13
    WHEREAS, The Manhattan Public Library was first housed in 
14
the old Manhattan Village Hall; the library's first collection 
15
began with 100 books and a bookcase donated by the John Baker 
16
family; and

 
17
    WHEREAS, In 1940, the Manhattan Public Library purchased 
18
the Manhattan State Bank Building for $1,500; in 1968, the 
19
library purchased the Evangelical United Brethren Church; in 
20
1984, the current 6,000-square-foot library facility was 
21
constructed behind the Evangelical United Brethren Church; and

 
 


 






HR0621
- 2 -
LRB096 14690 GRL 29535 r




1
    WHEREAS, In 1987, the Manhattan Public Library became a 
2
library district; in 1995, the Manhattan Public Library 
3
District expanded by referendum to include two Jackson Township 
4
precincts; in 2001, the Manhattan Public Library District 
5
expanded by referendum to include two more Jackson Township 
6
precincts, including the Village of Elwood; and

 
7
    WHEREAS, In 2009, the Manhattan Public Library District 
8
changed its name to the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library 
9
District to better identify all of the residents within the 
10
library district's boundaries; and

 
11
    WHEREAS, The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District 
12
provides service to an approximate 72 square-mile area, 
13
including Manhattan and Jackson Townships and the Villages of 
14
Manhattan and Elwood; the district currently serves more than 
15
12,723 residents; and

 
16
    WHEREAS, The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District 
17
collection includes 60,807 books, 127 magazine subscriptions, 
18
1,457 audios, and 3,283 videos/DVDs; the library district is 
19
open 62 hours per week; and
 
20
    WHEREAS, The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District's 
21
future plan is to provide two new facilities, one each in 
 


 






HR0621
- 3 -
LRB096 14690 GRL 29535 r




1
Manhattan and Elwood, to provide better and more convenient 
2
services for local residents; therefore, be it

 
3
    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
4
NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
5
congratulate the employees and administration of the 
6
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District on the occasion of the 
7
district's 100th anniversary and thank the district for 
8
providing 100 years of service to local patrons; and be it 
9
further

 
10
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
11
presented to the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District 
12
Board as a symbol of our esteem and respect.