Mr. James H. Whiting was a visionary who brought the Buick brand of cars into General Motors.  He purchased the fledgling business from David Dunbar Buick in 1903, and went on to sell it in 1908 as part of a brand consolidation that created General Motors Company.

Mr. Whiting created and endowed a Foundation in 1941 that now provides financial support for the Whiting Auditorium as well as other nonprofit organizations throughout Flint and Genesee County.  The Foundation chose to invest in the Flint Public Library renovation because the Library provides an essential community service.