Title
Proclamation Declaring November 2, 2016 as Alameda Free Library Day. (Library 5210)
Body
Proclamation
Whereas, on August 25, 1877, the Alameda Free Library opened its doors for the first time in a storefront on Park Street near Railroad Avenue, currently Lincoln Avenue. After six months, the library moved to the Park Opera House. The library continued to change locations as it continued to grow, The Tucker Building (1881), Boehmer Building (1886), City Hall (1897), and the Carnegie Building (1903). In 1998, the library moved to the Historic Alameda High School until the new library was constructed; and
Whereas, over the years the Alameda Free Library has grown to include the West End Library which opened in 1936 and the Bay Farm Island Library which opened in 1980; and
Whereas, in the year 2000, Alameda Voters approved Measure O, a $10.6 million Bond to provide matching funds for a state grant for a new library. A new Main Library opened its doors on November 2, 2006; and
Whereas, community leaders and the Friends of the Library have donated over a million dollars and countless hours of volunteering to support Alameda public libraries; and
Whereas, the mission of our libraries is to provide a welcoming environment where all patrons have rapid access to information and resources; where librarians work to meet the changing needs of our community, including bringing services outside of library walls; and linking libraries making information from around the world accessible to library users; and
Whereas, in the last ten years, since modernizing our three public libraries, over 4.6 million people have visited the Main Library, checking out over 5.3 million items, with close to 170,000 people attending 36,844 programs; the West End Library has had 254,710 visitors checking out 236,900 items; and the Bay Farm Island Library has had 265,892 visitors checking out 309,860 items; and
Whereas, the Friends of the Alameda Free Library are sponsoring a 10th...
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