Tribute to DR. Annie Norman

Text in the Record

Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement as State Librarian of Delaware and director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. Throughout her 40-year tenure at the Delaware Department of State, Dr. Norman has remained an unwavering public servant dedicated to improving Delaware's libraries for all Delawareans. Her visionary leadership has transformed Delaware's library system, and her legacy will benefit generations of Delawareans for years to come. Throughout her career, Dr. Norman served under five different administrations. For each Governor, Dr. Norman has been a trusted voice for the advancement of literacy and lifelong learning. Under her leadership, the Delaware Library Catalog was established and expanded to all Delaware public libraries, academic libraries, and many school libraries, allowing over 4 million books and other materials to be shared statewide. Dr. Norman has been a leading voice in addressing our State's literacy challenges, serving as founder and co-chair of the Delaware Literacy Alliance alongside Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. In 2020, Dr. Norman oversaw the statewide launch of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which provides free books to all Delaware children from birth to age 5. I am proud to have partnered with Dr. Norman to secure Federal funding and expand the division of libraries' teleservices kiosk program, which connects Delawareans in rural and underserved communities to healthcare, employment assistance, and legal services. During my years in the House of

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Representatives and now the Senate, I always appreciated the opportunity to meet with Dr. Norman to discuss Delaware's library funding needs, statewide literacy initiatives, and the many ways our libraries strengthen communities across the State. Dr. Norman's contributions have been recognized with many awards and accolades across her career, including her appointment by President Biden to the National Museum and Library Services Board and her induction into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. Dr. Norman's leadership has resulted in the expansion of more than two dozen libraries across the State and the delivery of state-of-the-art services through robust technology infrastructure. She has truly transformed Delaware's libraries into community hubs for Delawareans to gather, learn, and receive necessary services. I wish Dr. Norman the best of luck in her retirement. Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware in congratulating Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement and for an outstanding life of public service.

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