BRIGHTON, Mich., June 30, 2010 – McDonald’s is proud to partner with the Detroit Public Library to launch McDonald’s Books & Backpacks, a program that supports literacy in Detroit and offers local grade school children incentives for checking out books at the Detroit Public Library and its 23 branch locations.  The program runs through the end of the year and is designed to encourage reading and build on the reading skills children acquire in school. 

“Education is a priority for McDonald’s, as is providing the resources in our community which enable our youth to gain the tools they need to succeed in school and in life,” said Melvin Jones, Detroit McDonald’s owner/operator.  “We are passionate about supporting literacy and are excited our Books & Backpacks program will positively impact so many youth.”

Lurine Carter, coordinator of Children's and Teen's Services at the Detroit Public Library, added, “Reading is important from an early age and beyond.  It builds a solid foundation for one’s education.  We at Detroit Public Library are delighted to have the support from organizations like McDonald’s in our commitment to literacy to benefit the youth in our community.”

Reading Leads to Family Time

Grade school students are encouraged to visit the Detroit Public Library to pick up a McDonald’s bookmark.  Each time they checks out books, the librarian will stamp the bookmark.  Once the bookmark is stamped five times, the student can bring the fully stamped bookmark to his/her neighborhood McDonald’s for a Happy Meal^® or Mighty Kids Mealä compliments of McDonald’s.  Bookmarks are available at each of the branch locations.

Monthly Giveaways

Now through December 2010, the Detroit Public Library will host a drawing and award one youth at each library branch a McDonald’s backpack and a $20 gift card for books, for a total of 168 winners at the conclusion of the program.  A display with entry forms is available at all 24 library locations.

Summer Fun at the Library

McDonald’s is a proud sponsor of the community’s most comprehensive program to supplement literacy education – the Detroit Public Library’s Summer Reading Program 2010.  The Summer Reading Program, coordinated by DPL children’s librarians and select teachers from the Detroit Public Schools and other school districts throughout the metro area, aims to improve reading skills during school summer vacation.  As part of its commitment to literacy, the McDonald’s sponsorship will include reading time with local McDonald’s owner/operators and appearances by Ronald McDonald, who will perform his book time show at the various branch locations periodically throughout the program’s duration.

“McDonald’s has a wonderful reputation for lending a helping hand when and where it is needed most,” said Patrice Merritt, executive director, The Detroit Public Library Friends Foundation.  “Through its support of the Detroit Public Library’s Summer Reading Program, McDonald’s has recognized that in order to sustain reading skills throughout the year, every student should be given the best possible opportunity to have access to reading materials. And what place to do so than the public library?”

About McDonald’s

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees.  For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants.

© 2010 McDonald’s