For immediate release | October 19, 2012
Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library designated a Literary Landmark in honor of Harvey Pekar
PHILADELPHIA — The Cleveland Heights (Ohio)-University Heights Public Library (Heights Libraries) was designated a Literary Landmark in honor of Harvey Pekar (1939-2010), author of the iconic comic book “American Splendor,” on Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Lee Road Branch of Heights Libraries.
A crowd of roughly 175 fans, friends, and family of Pekar attended the program “Harvey Pekar: A Literary, Library Life.” In addition to the Literary Landmark dedication, the event included the unveiling of a Harvey Pekar statue by local sculptor Justin Coulter, which was donated to Heights Libraries by Pekar’s widow, Joyce Brabner. The unveiling followed a presentation by JT Waldman, the illustrator who collaborated with Pekar on Pekar’s posthumously published book "Not the Israel My Parents Promised Me."
With their daughter Danielle by her side, Brabner spoke movingly of Pekar’s attachment to the library, concluding that theirs was a family “that always believed a library card was more important than a charge card.”
The Literary Landmark program is administered by United for Libraries. More than 120 Literary Landmarks across the United States have been dedicated since the program began in 1986. Any library or group may apply for a Literary Landmark through United for Libraries. More information is available on the United for Libraries website.
United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.
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Contact:
Jillian Kalonick
Marketing / Public Relations
United for Libraries (United)
jkalonick@ala.org800-545-2433 ext.2160
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