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Thursday, September 06, 2012

Small Press Expo announces the Enoch Pratt Free Library as the recipient of the 2012 SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program


Small Press Expo announces the Enoch Pratt Free Library as the recipient of the 2012 SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program

For Immediate Release                   Contact: Warren Bernard
                                                       E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; September 6, 2012 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of graphic novels, independent comics and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to to announce the gift of $5000 in graphic novels to the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore, Maryland.

In a ceremony held Tuesday in the boardroom of the main branch of the Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore, SPX Executive Director Warren Bernard presented CEO Dr. Carla Hayden and members of her staff with the books.

"We are so honored and delighted that Small Press Expo has chosen the Pratt Library as this year's recipient of their Graphic Novel Gift," said Carla D. Hayden, Chief Executive Officer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. "It's important to emphasize that reading is fun. Sometimes students get so busy they forget that there's more to reading than just school texts."

This years gift of over 240 books comprising 40 different titles were chosen by the Pratt Library Collection Management Department and will be sent out to all the branches in the system.

SPX would like to thank Fantagraphics, Drawn & Quarterly, Adhouse Books and Top Shelf for their aid in supporting this important program.

The SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program is an expansion of the philanthropic and charitable endeavors that are part of its corporate charter, and is in addition to SPX's annual support to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The targets of this program are public and academic library systems in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area as selected by the Small Press Expo.

The goals of this new program are:

- Facilitate the availability of graphic novels to readers of all ages utilizing public and school libraries.

- Promote learning and literacy through the availability of graphic novels at local libraries.

- Provide library systems with additional resources by which they can purchase graphic novels and comics.

This years special bookplate contains art by artist and illustrator Adrian Tomine, whose work graces the covers of The New Yorker. The special bookplate were placed on all of the books donated by SPX. To see the book plate and for more information on the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, go to http://www.spxpo.com/graphic-novel-gift-program.

Questions may be directed to warren@spxpo.com.

About SPX

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators, as well as a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which bestows graphic novels to public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, visit its website at http://www.cbldf.org.

SPX 2012 will be held Saturday, September 15  and Sunday, September 16.  For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

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