Norman Mailer Honored at Library Awards Dinner

Writer Norman Mailer, Library Foundation of Los Angeles Executive Director Evelyn Hoffman and Wells Fargo represented by Regional President Shelley Freeman, were honored at the 11th annual Los Angeles Public Library Awards Dinner on May 18, at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles.

Actor Keith Carradine hosted the gala event sponsored by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing private contributions to support the Los Angeles Public Library.

City Librarian Fontayne Holmes and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles Chairman Thomas R. Miller announced the honorees, adding that net proceeds from the awards dinner will benefit Library enrichment programs and services.

Mailer accepted the Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award for his contributions to literature. Actress Anjelica Huston made the presentation to Mailer, who is renowned for his works, including the story of a platoon in World War II, “The Naked and the Dead”; his examination of the role of the CIA in American life, “Harlot’s Ghost”; and his non-fiction portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald in “Oswald’s Tale.”

Evelyn Hoffman received the Light of Learning Award for her achievements as founding executive director of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Under Hoffman’s leadership, the foundation has raised more than $60 million since 1992. Funds raised by the foundation support the programs and services of the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library and 71 branches.

Shelley Freeman, regional president for Wells Fargo Los Angeles Metropolitan Community Bank, accepted the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ Corporate Philanthropy Award in recognition of Wells Fargo’s long-standing and support of the library. Wells Fargo has supported a variety of Library programs, including Adopt a Branch, exhibitions, after-school aides and the Virtual Library technology program.

During the Los Angeles Public Library Awards gala, 500 guests gathered in the Central Library’s Maguire Gardens for a cocktail reception, followed by the awards program and an elegant dinner in City National Plaza, adjacent to the library.

Jeffrey P. Brown and Michael B. Keegan, directors of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, served as dinner co-chairs. Veronique Peck was the honorary chair.

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the city with its Central Library, 71 branch libraries, and its online services at www.lapl.org. Photo by Howard Pasamanick Honoree Norman Mailer and Nancy Harahan at the 11th annual Los Angeles Public Library Awards Dinner held on May 18, at the Central Library, Downtown. The event honored Mailer, Library Foundation of Los Angeles Executive Director Evelyn Hoffman and Wells Fargo represented by Regional President Shelley Freeman. The evening, which was hosted by Keith Carradine raised $680,000 for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing private contributions to support the Los Angeles Public Library.lso-library.0601.jpg-BPhotoInfoT01RFR5T20060601j03972nc(LA)