George Lopez becomes spokesperson for Library Card Sign-up Month

Contact: Larra Clark


Media Relations Manager


312-280-5043


lclark@ala.org

For Immediate Release


August 16, 2006

George Lopez becomes spokesperson


for Library Card Sign-up Month

CHICAGO - Actor-comedian and author George Lopez joins the American Library Association (ALA) and hundreds of libraries across the country this September promoting Library Card Sign-up Month. Lopez is the official spokesman for this national observance, which serves as a time to remind parents that the best back-to-school tool for their child is a library card.

Lopez stars in the hit ABC comedy series "George Lopez" and was named one of "The 25 Most Influential Hispanics In America" by TIME magazine in August 2005. He lives with his family in Los Angeles and has his library card from the Los Angeles Public Library.

Why buy when you can borrow? According to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation, parents will spend over $17 billion on back-to-school supplies. A library card provides free access to the more than $1 billion worth of materials - including DVDs, CDs, books, and online resources - bought by public libraries annually.

"No parent can afford to overlook the great resources freely available in our nation’s libraries," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "Libraries help level the playing field for people of all ages and backgrounds. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning."

Americans check out more than 2 billion items and visit their public libraries more than 1.3 billion times each year. Print and radio PSAs featuring Lopez are available for free download at
http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup . The page also features tips and materials for reaching out to local elected officials.