April 9, 2003

Grant From People's Bank Supports
Children's Programming at Otis Library

NORWICH, CONN. - People's Bank and Otis Library today announced the local bank has made a grant of $25,000 to the library to support children's programs as part of People's commitment to children and youth development.

"At People's, we take great pride in giving back to the communities we serve," said Mary-Jo Wlodecki, first vice president, and Norwich market growth manager at People's. "And we are pleased to support the children of Norwich during National Library Week."

The library will use the funds to supplement the usual story hours and summer reading sessions with special interest programs such as kite making, storytelling, music and art, and more.

"We are delighted with People's Bank's generous grant for children's programming," said Linda Summers, director, Otis Library. "In these difficult economic times, libraries find that use is increasing while our incomes are decreasing. Our summer 2003 children's program calendar will reflect this grant's substantial impact," she said.

People's Bank (peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut with assets of $12 billion, 155 branches and more than 230 ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and is the nation's 19th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.

Otis Library has been providing public library service to the Norwich area for 153 years. Located at 261 Main St., Norwich, Otis offers an extensive array of books and other materials, Internet access and electronic resources, and programs for people of all ages. Otis Library is free, open to the public, and handicapped accessible.