The Council is the Library Foundation’s premier fundraising group, supporting the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library and 72 branches. This group of ambassadors are steadfast champions of the LAPL’s impactful work.
Since its founding in 1994 by the late Flora Thornton, The Council has raised over $35 million. The Council produces the Council Literary Series and the biennial Council Literary Feasts, and provides significant support to critical LAPL programs that promote literacy skills, student success, and technological access.
The Council was created in 1994 through the vision of Flora Thornton who attended the Gala Dinner celebrating the re-opening of the Central Library on October 3, 1993. She admired the beautifully renovated and expanded facility and expressed a need for a group of volunteers to increase public awareness of the Los Angeles Public Library and its programs and services.
Lodwrick M. Cook, Founding Chairman of the Library Foundation, invited Mrs. Thornton to lunch to discuss organizing a support group for the Library. He offered to launch the group with an invitation to the ARCO-sponsored Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum, held in the Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium on November 4, 1994.
At that event, Joni Smith graciously accepted Mrs. Thornton’s invitation to create The Council. Shortly afterward, an organizational meeting was held in Joni’s home. Those in attendance included Joni Smith, Caroline Ahmanson, Nancy Livingston, Jean Smith, Flora Thornton, Nancy Vreeland, and Library Foundation Executive Director Evelyn Hoffman. Joni served as President of The Council until June 1997.
1997 was also the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Los Angeles Public Library. The Council participated by hosting a series of citywide dinners to benefit the Library’s programs. The dinners were so successful that they have continued biannually and are known as The Literary Feasts.
The Council has completed its 23rd season of literary programs which now includes eight to 10 luncheons or dinners with an author. The Council has grown dramatically, with over 300 members in 2025.
All Council Memberships include invitations to the Council Literary Series programs and Library Foundation special events, invitations to exhibit openings, and a discount at the Library Store.
To become a Member of The Council, a candidate must be sponsored by a current Member.
For more information, please call us at 213.228.7506 or message us through this contact form.
As President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA), Stacy Lieberman is an innovative and inclusive leader whose career dwells at the intersection of arts and culture, lifelong learning, storytelling, and equitable access. Stacy guides the Foundation’s philanthropic and public-facing priorities to serve the Los Angeles Public Library, embracing the notion that libraries are beacons of democracy where everyone is welcome. She works intentionally with community leaders, donors, and internal and external strategic partners to raise awareness and resources for the Library and its life-changing initiatives.
With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, Stacy has left an indelible mark on iconic L.A. arts, non-profit, and educational institutions such as The Broad, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Skirball Cultural Center. Building on an early career in book publishing, she has dedicated her professional life to sharing stories and broadening the reach of public institutions to welcome visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds to experience educational, arts, and cultural opportunities.
