October 19, 2004

State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau today announced Hantz Group as the sponsor for this year's State Librarian's Excellence Award (SLEA). The 2004 award recipient will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 28, at the State Librarian's Luncheon during the 2004 Michigan Library Association annual conference at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City. The Library of Michigan Foundation is hosting the luncheon.

"A company that operates in a culture of outstanding customer service and prides itself on providing solutions for people, Hantz Group is the perfect partner for a project that inspires excellence in library service and rewards customer service," said Brandau.

Hantz Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Mich., is a full-service financial holding company founded in January 1998 by John Hantz, a graduate of the Harvard advanced management program.

"Hantz Group is proud to partner with the Library of Michigan to recognize the superior standard of service exemplified by the recipient of the State Librarian's Excellence Award," said Hantz. "We commend the valuable work of libraries and are honored to contribute to the preservation of history, life-long learning, literacy and technology in Michigan."

The State Librarian's Excellence Award is an annual award presented by the Library of Michigan Foundation. The 2004 awardee will receive a check for $5,000 as well a distinctive trophy for display in the library's public area. Library of Michigan Foundation citations of excellence will also be presented to two additional libraries.

Library of Michigan Foundation Executive Director Judith Moore said SLEA nomination criteria require libraries to demonstrate that they provide innovative and superior services to customers in a cost-effective manner and with a can-do attitude. "Libraries who achieve this award always keep their promises to customers and the community as a whole, are committed to high standards of service, and are team players in every sense," said Moore. Previous recipients of the State Librarian's Excellence Award include Otsego County Library (2003), Genesee District Library (2002) and Houghton Lake Public Library (2001). For additional information, visit www.michigan.gov/lmfoundation or contact the Library of Michigan Foundation at (517) 373-1297.

The Library of Michigan Foundation was established in 1985 to secure funds for the Library of Michigan in order to strengthen and support the relevancy, availability and accessibility of its resources and services to all Michigan residents.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

The subsidiaries of Hantz Group include Hantz Financial Services, Inc., a dually registered investment adviser and broker/dealer; Hantz Tax & Business, L.L.C., a tax preparation and tax planning specialist; Hantz Benefit Services, L.L.C., a provider of corporate health and retirement plans; Hantz Agency, L.L.C. and PLUS Agency, L.L.C., insurance providers; and Tranex Financial, Inc., a mortgage broker. The company has grown to more than 400 employees in 23 offices throughout Michigan and Ohio. For more information, visit www.hantzgroup.com.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.