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Show Statement For Library Weed WASHINGTON, D.C. - The following is President Jimmy Carter's statement, released in recognition of National Library Week, April 1-7, 1979: WITH ITS 21st consecutive observance, National Library Week comes of age. It is particularly par-ticularly appropriate that this milestone comes in 1979, the year of the first White House Conference on Library and Information Services. Books were among the most treasured possessions of our country's earliest settlers. They were the means of creating a culture in the wilderness. wil-derness. Benjamin Franklin, who founded the initial subscription library in America, was among the first of many generations of self- educated people who overcame over-came humble beginnings by their love of books. EVERY LIBRARY is filled with success stories. Every library is filled, too, with the possibilities of success for all who can read. Literacy for all our people is a basic priority of our government, and the considerable accomplishments ac-complishments of the American Library Association Associa-tion in this regard can be a source of pride to all Americans. On behalf of all our citizens I welcome this annual opportunity oppor-tunity to applaud all the nation's na-tion's librarians and thank them for their major contribution con-tribution to the vitality of our democratic way of life. |