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Benefit Events

2024 Library Lions Gala: A stone lion statue in front of stairs; 7 people posing with 5 of them wearing medals; two people smiling at the camera in black tie attire.

Events offer a unique way to experience the Library: host a table of clients at our black tie Library Lions gala or celebrate the great work happening in our branches at the annual Library Lunch. Contributions to events are tax-deductible (excluding goods and services provided) and all proceeds ensure that we continue to advance The New York Public Library's mission of providing essential, free services to New Yorkers and the world at large.

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Show your support for The New York Public Library by attending or sponsoring one of our remarkable benefit events!

2024 Library Lions Gala: Spike Lee sitting on a chair; a room with banquet tables and candles; Amanda Jones and Amy Tan posing.

Library Lions

Celebrating arts, letters, and scholarship, Library Lions is The New York Public Library’s largest annual event and one of the most anticipated evenings on New York City’s cultural calendar.

On Monday, November 4, 2024, we inducted our 2024 class of distinguished Lions - Elizabeth Kolbert, Spike Lee, Jon Meacham, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Amy Tan. Stay tuned for more information regarding our 2025 Library Lions Gala.

2024 Young Lions Benefit Party: 3 pictures in a collage, the two on the ends showing people in black tie attire posing, and the one in the middle is a picture of a room lit up in blue and pink light with a large crowd of people.

Young Lions Benefit Party

Join us for the official after party of the renowned Library Lions Gala! An evening not to be missed–enjoy cocktails and passed bites as we dance the night away in celebration of the Library Lions and The New York Public Library.

Young Lions receive discounted tickets to the Library Lions Gala, including the Benefit Party. Email librarylions@nypl.org for more information.

2024 Library Lunch: 3 pictures in a collage showing people dressed in floral dresses at a luncheon.

Library Lunch

Since 1981, the annual Library Lunch has brought together engaging speakers and the Library's closest friends to celebrate literature and culture.

The 2024 Lunch highlighted Food for Thought— we delved into the rich link between food and travel, and the promise of discovery, exploration, and connections . Moderated by David Remnick, this year's panel included Chinese cuisine cook and food writer, Fuchsia Dunlop, writer and bespoke travel curator, David Prior, and Editor in Chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, Jamila Robinson.

Stay tuned for more information regarding our 2025 Library Lunch!

If you have any questions, feel free to email librarylunch@nypl.org.

2024 Young Lions Fiction Award: 4 pictures in a collage that show various people in cocktail attire.

The Young Lions Fiction Award

Established in 2001, The New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award is a $10,000 prize awarded each spring to a writer aged 35 or younger for a novel or a collection of short stories. Each year, five young fiction writers are selected as finalists by a reading committee of Young Lions members, writers, editors, and librarians. A panel of judges selects the winner.

In 2025, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Young Lions Fiction Award. To learn more about this year's upcoming event, please contact younglions@nypl.org.

Corporate Events

The Lawyers for the Library Committee is comprised of attorneys representing New York City's top law firms, who provide integral support for the Library's essential services and programs.

For additional information, please contact the Development Events office at 212.930.0671 or nyplevents@nypl.org.