1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 745 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to 1-4 recognize the Dallas Public Library on the grand occasion of 1-5 its 100th anniversary; and 1-6 WHEREAS, In 1899, the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs 1-7 began organizing efforts for a public library in the city; the 1-8 organization's leader, May Dickson Exall, requested and received 1-9 a $50,000 grant from steel baron Andrew Carnegie to construct the 1-10 first library building; and 1-11 WHEREAS, On October 30, 1901, Dallas citizens greeted the 1-12 opening of the Carnegie Library, a two-story building with just 1-13 9,852 volumes housed on the first floor; by 1954, the city had 1-14 outgrown the structure, and the original Carnegie Library was torn 1-15 down to construct a six-story modern facility in its place; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Since its opening, the Dallas Public Library has 1-17 been vigilant about serving all citizens of an ever-expanding 1-18 urban area; in the 1930s several branches were opened, including 1-19 the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, the first serving the 1-20 African-American population in Dallas; increased population 1-21 during the Baby Boom Era led to the addition of 17 branches 1-22 during the 1960s and 1970s; and 1-23 WHEREAS, Today, the Dallas Public Library operates the 1-24 J. Erik Jonsson Central Library and a network of 22 branch 2-1 locations, with holdings numbering more than 2.5 million; 2.8 2-2 million visitors seek its services each year, and registered 2-3 library patrons check out more than 3.8 million books and other 2-4 materials annually; and 2-5 WHEREAS, In this information age, the Dallas Public Library's 2-6 services have never been more valuable, and the institution is 2-7 prepared to meet the challenges of the new millennium and continue 2-8 to serve its patrons with the same enthusiasm and pride that 2-9 characterized its first 100 years; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Citizens of the Dallas area are indeed fortunate 2-11 to have access to such an exceptional institution as the Dallas 2-12 Public Library; in affording millions the access to its services, 2-13 technology, literature, and other information forms, the Dallas 2-14 Public Library performs a vital public service; now, therefore, 2-15 be it 2-16 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-17 77th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Dallas Public 2-18 Library on its 100th anniversary; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 2-20 this venerable institution as an expression of high regard from 2-21 the Texas Senate. 2-22 West 2-23 ______________________________________ 2-24 President of the Senate 2-25 I hereby certify that the above 2-26 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 2-27 on April 17, 2001. 2-28 ______________________________________ 2-29 Secretary of the Senate 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 Member, Texas Senate