DALLAS, TX (February 7, 2012) – To celebrate Black History Month, Comerica Bank today unveiled a new African American Literature Collection for the citywide Dallas Public Library system, as well as e-readers for two in-need Southern Dallas library branches. The collection features close to 900 e-books by or about African-Americans and increases the System’s e-book collection by more than 6 percent.
As part of its donation to the non-profit group Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Comerica also purchased 30 e-readers for use by patrons of the North Oak Cliff and Polk Wisdom library branches. Comerica adopted the two branches in 2010 with a donation of $50,000 for the purchase of materials devoted to financial literacy, an important objective of the bank’s community outreach efforts. The total estimated value of the e-books and kindles is $15,000.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas City Councilmembers and members of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library joined Comerica executives, including Chairman and CEO Ralph Babb and Texas Market President Pat Faubion, at the North Oak Cliff branch to unveil the e-book collection and e-readers.
“Comerica Bank is a great example of what can happen when a corporation sees an opportunity to help the community, and seizes it,” said Mayor Rawlings. “We need more partnerships like this to support institutions like our public library system which is an invaluable resource to so many in our community.”
“Comerica is committed to enhancing the communities we serve, and one way to do that is by supporting our libraries,” said Faubion. “We hope the almost 900 new e-books and 30 e-readers will help educate and inspire library patrons to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.”
The e-books, available for download to any Dallas Library patron, include adult literature, children’s literature, biographies, non-fiction and fiction books. The collection features books by prominent African American authors like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Serita Ann Jakes, who was on hand today to read an excerpt from her new book The Crossing, and about prominent African Americans like Harriett Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jackie Robinson.
“During town hall meetings we held last year, one of the biggest complaints we received was that there was not enough African American books in our collection,” said Corinne Hill, Interim Director of the Dallas Public Libraries. “With Comerica’s generous gift, we are able to give library patrons the resources they need.”
About the Friends of the Dallas Public Library
The Friends of the Dallas Public Library is a member-supported non-profit organization that provides critical support for the Dallas Public Library system and is actively engaged in advocating the Library’s positions and needs. The sole mission of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library is to support the efforts of the Dallas Public Library, to continue providing excellent levels of service to the citizens of Dallas and maintain its pride as perhaps the most beloved civic institution in the City. Because of its independent, tax exempt status, the Friends is able to raise funds – both on a project basis and to increase its dedicated endowment – in a manner beyond the ability of City allocations.
About Comerica Bank
Comerica Bank is the commercial banking subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), the largest banking company headquartered in Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $61 billion at December 31, 2011. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to http://comerica.com/newsalerts.
