Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 2, 2001
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665
Nebraska Library Commission Celebrates Centennial
Using the theme, Libraries for the Centuries, the Nebraska Library Commission will spend all of 2001 commemorating the history of this one hundred-year-old state library agency and celebrating the future of libraries in the 21st Century. On February 22, the celebration began with a proclamation by Governor Mike Johanns congratulating and recognizing the Nebraska Library Commission for its one hundred years of service to the State of Nebraska. On February 21, Sen. DiAnna Schimek introduced a legislative resolution commemorating the Library Commission Centennial (to go into effect February 28). On February 23, at 11 a.m., the resolution will be presented to library supporters from across the state in the Capitol Rotunda. Rod Wagner, Director, Nebraska Library Commission, remarked, "This is a very special occasion for the Library Commission. It is most appropriate that Governor Johanns and the Nebraska Legislature give recognition to the Library Commission's one hundred year history of service to the State of Nebraska."
In January 1901, a bill was introduced in the Legislature of the State of Nebraska to create a Public Library Commission. On March 26, 1901, legislation was enacted (made effective on June 28, 1901) to create the Nebraska Public Library Commission. On November 11, 1901, the newly created Nebraska Public Library Commission opened offices in the basement of the State Capitol and began the work of promotion and development of library services throughout the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Public Library Commission, renamed in 1972 as the Nebraska Library Commission, has worked toward the establishment and extension of library services for the people of Nebraska throughout its one hundred year history.
The history and progress of Nebraska and its many communities are marked by the contribution of libraries to the education, enlightenment, and welfare of the people of Nebraska. The value of libraries has been sustained and extended from the early days of books and traveling libraries, through the experience in more recent decades of the benefits of electronic networks, interlibrary cooperation, and multi-media resources. In 2001, the Nebraska Library Commission celebrates its centennial year and rededicates its commitment to the statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library services. This yearlong celebration highlights the commitment of the Nebraska Library Commission and Nebraska libraries to continue their efforts to achieve excellence in service to the people of Nebraska, now and long into the future. For more information, including a history of the Library Commission, see the Centennial Web page.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information.
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See attached Governor's proclamation and Legislative resolution.
State of Nebraska
Proclamation
WHEREAS, in January of 1901, a bill was introduced in the Legislature of the State of Nebraska to create the Nebraska Public Library Commission. On March 26, 1901, the legislation was enacted and made effective on June 28, 1901; and
WHEREAS, on November 11, 1901, the newly created Nebraska Public Library Commission commenced operation and began working to promote and develop library services throughout the State of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, throughout its 100 year history, the Nebraska Public Library Commission, renamed in 1972 as the Nebraska Library Commission, has worked toward the establishment and extension of library services for the people of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the history and progress of Nebraska and its many communities are marked by the contribution of libraries to the education, enlightenment and welfare of the people of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the value of libraries has been sustained and extended from the early days of books, traveling libraries, and, in more recent decades, the benefits of electronic networks, interlibrary cooperation, and multi-media resources; and
WHEREAS, in 2001, the Nebraska Library Commission celebrates its centennial year and re-dedicates its commitment to the statewide promotion, development and coordination of library services; and
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Library Commission and Nebraska libraries will continue their efforts to achieve excellence in service to the people of Nebraska now and long into the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike Johanns, Governor of the State of Nebraska, DO HEREBY CONGRATULATE the NEBRASKA LIBRARY COMMISSION for its 100 years of service to the State of Nebraska and hereby thanks Nebraska libraries for their contribution to Nebraska's quality of life.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and cause the Great Seal of the State of Nebraska to be affixed this Twenty-Second day of February, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand One.
Attest:
Secretary of State: John A. Gale
Governor: Mike Johanns
LR 35
NINETY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE
FIRST SESSION
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION 35
Introduced by Schimek, 27
WHEREAS, in January 1901 a bill was introduced in the Legislature for the purpose of creating a Public Library Commission; and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 1901, legislation was enacted and made effective on June 28, 1901, to create the Nebraska Public Library Commission; and
WHEREAS, on November 11, 1901, the newly created Nebraska Public Library Commission commenced operation and began the work of promotion and development of library services throughout the State of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Public Library Commission, renamed in 1972 as the Nebraska Library Commission, has throughout its 100-year history worked toward the establishment and extension of library services to the people of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the history and progress of Nebraska and its many communities are marked by the contribution of libraries to the education, enlightenment, and welfare of the people of Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, the value of libraries has been sustained and extended from the early days of books and traveling libraries through the experience in more recent decades of the benefits of electronic networks, interlibrary cooperation, and multimedia resources; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 the Nebraska Library Commission celebrates its centennial year and rededicates its commitment to the statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library services; and
WHEREAS, the Nebraska Library Commission and Nebraska libraries will continue their efforts to achieve excellence in service to the people of Nebraska now and long into the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA, FIRST SESSION:
1. That the Legislature congratulate the Nebraska Library Commission on its 100 years of service to the State of Nebraska and recognize Nebraska libraries for their contribution to Nebraska's quality of life.
2. That the Clerk of the Legislature send a copy of this resolution to the Nebraska Library Commission for distribution to all libraries in Nebraska.