GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 376

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Sponsors: Representatives Luebke, Michaux, Miller, Capps, and Mosley (Cosponsors).

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Referred to:  Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House.

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March 3, 1997

A JOINT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF THE EARLY SUPPORTERS OF THE DURHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY ON THE LIBRARY'S ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
Whereas, in June, 1895, Professor Edwin Mims of Trinity College initiated with a local literary group, the Canterbury Club, a movement to gain support for the idea of creating a public library in Durham; and
Whereas, in 1896, Lalla Ruth Carr and her father, industrialist and philanthropist Julian Shakespeare Carr, solicited donations for the establishment of the library, and Mr. Carr, along with Mrs. Thomas H. Martin, donated land for the library; and
Whereas, on March 5, 1897, the General Assembly of North Carolina ratified "an act to incorporate the Durham Public Library"; and
Whereas, the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Durham resolved in April 1896, and voted in January 1898, to provide financial support for the operation of the library; and 
Whereas, the first free, tax-supported public library in North Carolina thereby opened its doors in Durham in February 1898; and
Whereas, in 1916, a public library was opened to serve the African-American citizens of Durham as a result of the efforts and contributions of Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore and Mr. John Merrick; and 
Whereas, these events marked the beginnings of public library service in Durham which served as an early model in the State for public and private support, professional leadership, services to children, bookmobile services, and services for African-American citizens; and
Whereas, the Durham County Library having been created from these two historic institutions continues to provide progressive library services to the people of Durham; and
Whereas, public libraries are operating today in all one hundred counties of North Carolina serving to enhance education, economic development, and quality of life of North Carolina residents; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1.  The General Assembly honors the life and memory of the early supporters of the Durham Library and proclaims March 1997, through February 1998, as a year of celebration of one hundred years of public library service in the City of Durham and in the State of North Carolina.
Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Director of the Durham Public Library.
Section 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.