HR1164

LRB093 23184 KEF 53154 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives wish to recognize the Aurora Public Library on 
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its 100th anniversary of service to the Aurora community; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The Aurora Public Library first opened its doors 
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on June 1, 1882; it was established by city ordinance as a 
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service-oriented, tax-supported library, which is responsive 
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to the needs of individuals and groups that are a part of its 
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community; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The current main library building was erected in 
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1904 through a gift from Andrew Carnegie; the library was 
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housed in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) building at 23 
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East Downer in Aurora for twenty-two years; in 1953, Bookmobile 
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service was added to extend the library services to sites 
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underserved by the main library building; in 1969, the building 
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was completely remodeled and refurbished, two three-story 
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wings and a completely new facade were added; in 1977, two 
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vehicles traveled the city with a collection of 3,000-4,000 
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items each; in 1980, the Young People's Department was expanded 
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and refurbished; in 1992, service was scaled back to one 
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vehicle; and in 1993, the Eola Road Branch opened to the public 
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on the east side of the city; and 
 
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    WHEREAS, In 2002, the Cataloging and Extension Services 
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Department were moved to a leased facility on Church Road in 
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order to create additional space at the main library for a 
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growing staff and collections; also in 2002, The Bill and 
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Melinda Gates Foundation donated several thousands of dollars 
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for computer technology to the library; the Gates donation 
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included an eleven-seat computer training facility for the 
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public at the main library as well as additional PCs for the 
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branch locations; and
 
 


 






HR1164
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LRB093 23184 KEF 53154 r




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    WHEREAS, In 2003, the library purchased a new bookmobile to 
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replace the one in use to continue serving patrons at over 28 
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stops throughout the city and the building was expanded from 
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14,000 square feet to 27,000 square feet; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The current head librarian and executive director 
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of the library is Janet Pillifant Plaza, the sixth librarian in 
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the library's 114 year history; therefore, be it

 

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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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recognize the Aurora Public Library on its centennial 
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celebration and its dedicated service to the citizens of 
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Aurora; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to head librarian Janet Pillifant Plaza as an 
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expression of our respect.