DESIGNATING THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 5 TO DECEMBER 31, 1950, FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE “GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE MODERN PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES” AND AUTHORI…

WHEREAS, the earliest subscription library in the
Philippines organized by the American Circulating Library Association of Manila
was first opened to the general public on March 9, 1900;

WHEREAS, the objects of the American Circulating
Library Association of Manila in organizing its library were to provide free
public library service not only to the United States soldiers and sailors
stationed in the Philippines but also to all residents of Manila, whether
permanent or transient, and of whatever race or nationality, and to extend that
service to the outlying communities in the Philippine Archipelago;

WHEREAS, to insure the stability and proper
maintenance, extension and intension of that service, the American Circulating
Library Association of Manila, through its Board of Trustees and Executive
Board, offered to convey all the interest in its books and other resources, in
trust to the Government of the Philippines, the trust to be administered under
legislative control by the said government;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Government, through
legislative enactment, accepted that generous offer on March 4, 1901;

WHEREAS, the opening of the American Circulating
Library of Manila to the general public, its conveyance by its Board of
Trustees and Executive Board to, and its official acceptance, in trust, by the
Philippine Government, marked the beginning of the modern popular library movement
in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the progress of this movement, totally
paralyzed by the devastations of the last war, has received new vigor and
impetus. through generous rehabilitation aids from the American people and the
enactment of progressive public library laws, in general recognition of the
potent role of public libraries in popular education and the enhancement of
democratic culture and international understanding among our people; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the
fiftieth anniversary of this movement be nationally observed, beginning with
the celebration of the National Book Week, so that the significance of this far
reaching event in this country may be clearly understood and preserved in the
memory of our people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Elpidio Quirino, President of
the Philippines, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, do hereby
designate the period from December 5 to December 31, 1950, as the period of the
“Golden Anniversary of the Modern Public Library Movement in the Philippines,”
and authorize the Philippine Library Association and the Bureau of Public
Libraries jointly to sponsor the celebration of this memorable event and to
conduct a national library drive during the said period. I call upon all
citizens and residents of the Philippines whatever race, nationality or creed
to join in this national celebration and to assist in the national library
drive by giving generously, so that the usefulness of public libraries in the
promotion of popular education, democratic ideals, and international
understanding among our people may be further enhanced. I authorize all the
treasurers of provincial, city and municipal governments as well as public
library officials to accept, for the Philippine Library Association and the
Bureau of Public Libraries, voluntary contributions and donations in the form
of cash or publications and to issue official receipts therefor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of
December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty, and of the
Independence of the Philippines, the fifth.

ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

TEODORO EVANGELISTA
Executive Secretary

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