The 15th annual Los Angeles Public Library Awards Dinner was held Wednesday, May 19th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Close to 400 people attended the literary affair, which raised funds to assist the Los Angeles Public Library in providing literacy programs, books, materials, activities and public access to the latest electronic information resources.

Jeff Brown, Chairman of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles gave The Ahmanson Foundation the Light of Learning Award for its outstanding contribution to reading, libraries, and learning. In accepting the award, William Ahmanson, president of the Foundation, pointed out that libraries are changing with the times—providing access to public computers, online homework help, valuable databases, emedia of all kinds, historical photos and more.

Martín Gómez, City Librarian, presented Stephen King, one of the most successful authors in the world, with the prestigious Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award for his tremendous contribution to literature. “Libraries are the reason I am here”, the famous novelist stated. He fondly remembered reading musty, dog-eared detective book club trilogies, Ellery Queen, Raymond Chandler and Earl Stanley Gardner from the small library in his rural Maine town. “These books opened a whole new world to me”. After reading the Frank Norris thriller, McTeague, King thought to himself, “I want to do this!” It was a life changing experience for him.

For more information on the Library Awards Dinner, please contact Charie Laugharn, Executive Assistant to The Council and Special Events Coordinator, at (213) 228-7506.

Past Awards Dinner Honorees:

Los Angeles Public Library
Literary Award
2010   Stephen King
2009   Tom Brokaw


2008   Larry McMurtry
2007   Tony Kushner
2006   Norman Mailer
2005   Harper Lee
2004   Susan Sontag
2003   August Wilson
2002   David McCullough
2001   Carlos Fuentes
2000   Doris Kearns Goodwin
1999   John Updike
1998   Seamus Heaney
1997   Louise Erdrich
1996   E.L. Doctorow
Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Light of Learning Award

2010   The Ahmanson Foundation
2009   Veronique Peck
2008   John F. Cooke
2007   Nancy Harahan
2006   Evelyn Hoffman
2005   Lodwrick M. Cook
2004   Caroline W. Singleton
2003   Wallis Annenberg
2002   Joni Smith
2001   Mark Taper Foundation
2000   Mayor Richard J. Riordan and
             Nancy Daly Riordan
1999   Gary Ross
1998   Flora Thornton
1997   The J. Paul Getty Trust
1996   Gregory Peck


Library Foundation of Los Angeles
Corporate Philanthropy Award
2009   Union Bank
2008   Wachovia
2007   AT&T
2006   Wells Fargo
2005   City National Bank
2004   The Boeing Company
2003   Company Founder Jon Lovelace, on behalf of
             The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
2002   Farmers Insurance Group
2001   Bank of America
2000   Sanwa Bank California (United California Bank)
1999   GTE (Verizon)
1998   United Airlines
1997   Universal Studios
1996   The Times Mirror Company
Los Angeles Public Library
Publishers Award
2009   Larry Kirshbaum

Support for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles is direct support for the Los Angeles Public Library. Every dollar counts. Your gift to the Library Foundation helps the Los Angeles Public Library grow stronger.

Honorees William Ahmanson and Stephen King with Co-Chairs Sharon Rising and Carla Christofferson at the 2010 Library Awards Dinner