James T. Smith, Jr.
Storyville Ribbon Cutting

February 7, 2008

It is a pleasure to be here today as we officially open Storyville, here at the Rosedale Library. I would like to thank Jim Fish and Judy Kaplan for having us here today.

For hundreds of years, libraries have held a very special place in this country. In fact, one of the first acts of Congress after ratifying the Constitution was to set aside money to build a public library. As times have changed, our libraries have changed too. However, the central purpose of libraries remains the same. They serve as an educational resource for community at large, a place for people of all ages to grow, to learn, and to connect with both the wider world and with their closest neighbors.

New and Exciting Educational Opportunities

Starting today, the Rosedale Library will offer a new and exciting educational opportunity for our youngest citizens. Storyville will offer a unique learning experience for children ages birth through six. Research documents that the earlier that children are exposed to books, literacy activities, and other cultural experiences, the greater their chances for success become during their formal education.  And we all know that success in school leads to success in life.

This 2,240 square foot facility that we are opening today includes a child sized townscape, interactive play materials that promote school-readiness skills, age-appropriate literacy materials, and take-home materials and resources to support continued learning.

Prepare Our Children for Success

In Baltimore County, we recognize that we have no greater responsibility than preparing our children for a successful future. Today we celebrate another example of our commitment to providing our children with the support they need at every level. Storyville will be a significant asset to the Rosedale community and to Baltimore County, and I am proud that we were able to create such a remarkable resource for our children.

But, as both County Executive and as a lifelong resident of Baltimore County, I am even more proud of the outpouring of support from the community, and the generous donations to the Baltimore County Public Library Foundation, that made Storyville possible. I often say that while schools are the heart of a community, libraries are its soul. Libraries challenge us to learn, grow, and better ourselves. The people of Rosedale and Baltimore County understand the importance of libraries in our communities, and if you need to see any evidence of that, just take a look at what we were able to create together. Public libraries are a precious resource that enriches each and every community in our County and I am thrilled to see the people of this County supporting them so strongly.

Thanks to Jim Fish

Finally, I would like to thank Jim Fish for his outstanding work as the Director of Libraries. Thanks to his tireless and creative leadership, the Baltimore County Public Library system is widely recognized as one of the finest in the nation. He is committed to innovation and to fulfilling the mission of public libraries to enlighten and serve our communities. Storyville would not have happened without his dedication and hard work, and I thank him on behalf of all the people of Baltimore County.