Inside The New York Public Library’s Library Lions Gala

Now, there’s no shortage of good causes in New York City. But high among them must be the Public Library: the civic institution that, for over 127 years, has provided free educational materials to anyone who walks through its doors. For centuries, their offerings were mostly books on shelves. Today, it includes a vast array of content, from movies, social distance learning tools, and e-books, to magazines, as well as free internet access. And, as book bans increase across America, the third largest library in the world is also working to be free for not only New Yorkers, but anyone across the country who wishes to sign up for a real or virtual card.

So perhaps it's no surprise that, on an unseasonably warm November evening, a wide-ranging and accomplished group of over 450 New Yorkers attended the annual Library Lions gala. Chief among them? Artist Laurie Anderson, scholar Mary Beard, journalist Charles M. Blow, playwright Lynn Nottage, and economist Amartya Sen, who were all honored for their literary contributions. Politicians Senator Chuck Schumer and Mayor Eric Adams were in attendance, as was actor Jennifer Morrison, Studio Museum of Harlem Director Thelma Golden, ABC journalist Deborah Roberts, and Moda Operandi founder Lauren Santo Domingo. Notable authors were aplenty and included Renata Adler, Gay Talese, and Roy Blount.

The evening took place throughout the historic Belle Epoque building: cocktails began in white-marbled Astor Hall, where champagne was paired with pigs in a blanket. Then, guests descended the stairs to the Rose Main Reading Room. (“Room” here is a misnomer. The space spreads two city blocks and features a mural of a bright blue sky and puffy clouds upon its 52-foot high ceiling.)

Schumer—whose wife, Iris Weinshall, is the Library’s chief operating officer—gave a speech to the crowd. “I never miss the chance to join you at this dinner. And the reason is simple: I believe firmly deep in my bones that in the fight to preserve democracy,” he said. “In an era where 30-second sound bites and 30-word tweets dominate the public consciousness, and social media has become a vector of misinformation—we affirm the rightful place of libraries as sanctuaries of truth and understanding.”

Dinner included an early fall vegetable salad and braised short ribs, all served on sprawling tables adorned with votive candles and white anemones. Halfway through, Anderson, Beard, Blow, Nottage, and Sen were all awarded medals for their accomplishments to thunderous applause.