Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Public Library,
2024 Annual Chair Gabrielle Zevin, and Honorary Chairs
Rachel Bloom, Alejandra Campoverdi, Santi Elijah Holley, and Yiyun Li
in staying home to read for a great cause, on Sunday, March 3!
Fellow Readers of Los Angeles,
I was five years old when I received my first library card. I had never had an ID before, and I felt like I had become a citizen of a particular country — we’ll call it the Republic of Library. As a citizen of the Republic of Library, I had been transformed into a wildly powerful five-year-old, who could access all the knowledge in the world. I still feel like a citizen of this country.
When I move to a new city, the first thing I do is get a library card. I know I truly live somewhere when I look in my wallet and see that city’s library card. For more than a decade, the card in my wallet has been from the Los Angeles Public Library. I love this city and I love our library, and that’s why it’s my absolute pleasure to invite you to the 36th Annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball.
The Stay Home and Read a Book Ball was obviously invented by someone from LA! Instead of driving across town in uncertain traffic, you stay home and read. What could be more delightful or timesaving? All you have to do is pick out what you’re going to read and decide how much you want to donate to our beloved LAPL. Maybe read a book with a ball in it? Anna Karenina, or Pride and Prejudice come to mind. Maybe dance around your living room while holding your favorite book close to your heart? Or read your book, while calmly seated, and dance in your mind. Books make for wonderful dance partners. They’ll dance with anyone.
Libraries, too, will dance with anyone, and this is one of their most sterling qualities. They don’t care who you are — where you were born, who you love, who you vote for, how much money you have in your bank account, or even why you want to read a particular book. Their mission is to give people access to knowledge, culture, and other life-giving resources. They give people power. I felt that power at five, and I feel it still.
Readers, come dance with me on Sunday, March 3, 2024!
Yours,
Gabrielle Zevin
Annual Chair, Stay Home and Read a Book Ball
RSVP to the 36th Annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball
by donating $25 or more at LFLA.org/StayHome.
Proceeds will benefit the Library Foundation of Los Angeles in support of the Los Angeles Public Library’s work to enrich the lives of every Angeleno.
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation (tax ID# 95-4368250).
No goods or services are provided in exchange for donations to the Stay Home and Read a Book Ball, and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. Donations for this annual fundraiser are separate from Membership.