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TO CONGRATULATE ANDERSON COUNTY'S JENNIE ERWIN LIBRARY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, TO COMMEND THE LIBRARY FOR THE OUTSTANDING JOB IT DOES IN SERVING THE CITIZENS OF HONEA PATH, AND TO WISH THIS VENERABLE INSTITUTION MUCH CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE.
Whereas, it is incumbent upon a free people that its citizens educate themselves, that they may rightly judge in considering the issues of the day and assessing those elected to govern; and
Whereas, because free public libraries are open to all and can be a primary aid in obtaining this education, they are a critical part of the public services a community offers its citizens; and
Whereas, Anderson County's Jennie Erwin Library, now celebrating its one hundredth anniversary, has sought to be an accessible public resource for the education and pleasure of its patrons since the first planners met on February 8, 1907, to consider building a library for the town of Honea Path; and
Whereas, these early planners considered and accepted Andrew Carnegie's offer of assistance in building a library and were given five thousand dollars for its construction, with the proviso that the library provide five hundred dollars a year toward its own support; and
Whereas, Dr. John R. Wright donated the necessary land for the building, and Miss Jennie Erwin, who had been instrumental in obtaining Mr. Carnegie's aid, gave one thousand dollars for purchasing the library's first books; and
Whereas, on July 10, 1907, a public meeting called by Mayor John Humbert organized the Honea Path Library Association "for the purpose of maintaining a free public library at Honea Path, S.C."; and
Whereas, the new library, for many years known as the Carnegie Library, was formally opened on February 5, 1908, and on October 7, 1958, joined the new countywide library system. At that time, the library's trustees voted to change its name to the Jennie Erwin Library in honor of Miss Erwin's indefatigable efforts in support of the library; and
Whereas, during its centennial observance, the Jennie Erwin Library will hold a celebratory gathering on Sunday afternoon, May 20, 2007, from two until four o'clock; and
Whereas, the Senate takes great pleasure in applauding the important role the Jennie Erwin Library has played over the years in the lives of Honea Path's citizenry and looks forward to hearing of its continued and laudable service in years to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Anderson County's Jennie Erwin Library on the occasion of its one hundredth anniversary, commend the library for the outstanding job it does in serving the citizens of Honea Path, and wish this venerable institution much continued success in the future.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Jennie Erwin Library.
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