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Duke of Earl Decrees an Evening Home With a Book

NEWS RELEASE
May 13, 2002

For further information contact:
Judy Hoffman, 847/353-7137

Find a whole kingdom in a book! Join Honorary Chairmen Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State, recording artist Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler and Chicago Bull Tyson Chandler in heralding the second annual Reading's a Ball. The online fund raising event, sponsored by the Library Community Foundation, will take place on May 30.

Reading's a Ball invites guests to stay home and read a book. All that is needed to attend is a good book and a comfortable chair. Dress is comfy and casual. This "non-event event" will raise funds through the online sale of admission and raffle tickets. To participate, visit the online event venue, www.readingsaball.org by May 25. Proceeds will benefit public and school library summer reading programs in the north suburban area.

"It is very important for our communities to make strong summer reading programs available when children are out of school," says Gene Chandler. "Reading opens new worlds for children -- books, of course, but also music and the arts. Young people can learn about anything if they have good reading skills." Chandler sent nineteen songs to the top forty, but he is known all over the world as the "Duke of Earl," his first hit that topped the pop and R&B charts in 1962 and launched his career.

Secretary of State Jesse White served as honorary chair for the first Reading's a Ball with author Scott Turow. This year Secretary White and Gene Chandler are joined by Chicago Bulls rookie Tyson Chandler. Tyson is actively involved in the Bulls Read To Achieve program, which promotes reading and online literacy by encouraging families and adults to read regularly with young children.

Single event tickets for this evening of reading are $25, or read with the whole family for only $40. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. Raffle prizes include a local hotel retreat package, gift certificates, and tickets to area sports and entertainment events, including the 7th season of Literary Circle, featuring John Updike, Anchee Min, Frances Mayes and U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.readingsaball.org or call Anne Johnson at 847.353.7143.

The Library Community Foundation seeks philanthropic support for library programs benefiting members of the North Suburban Library System and other Illinois libraries. The North Suburban Library System is an organization of over 650 libraries in the north suburban area of Cook County, and communities in Lake, Kane and McHenry counties. For information on the Foundation, visit www.librarycommunityfoundation.org.