Library lovers packed the Central Library's 6th Floor on Thursday night for our annual Fall Gala, A Novel Night Out.
Chairman Ken Benson welcomed the crowd, summarizing a successful year for libraries and the challenges still ahead as the Friends head toward our 75th anniversary in 2025.
The late David Munson, Sr. (1928 - 2023), was honored with the May Dickson Exall Award for a lifetime of service to literacy and libraries. Follow this link to our video tribute.
The evening's host, WFAA Meteorologist Mariel Ruiz, introduced our special guest, best-selling novelist Lynda Rutledge, who shared how libraries nurtured her love of reading and her career as a writer, and inspired her two successful novels. Rutledge also previewed her new novel, Mockingbird Spring, which will be published in January.
Thanks to Mariel Ruiz and Lynda Rutledge, all of our generous sponsors, our volunteers who helped make it all happen, and everyone who bought tickets to support our libraries.
Margot Perot
Carol Barger
Anne and Jeremy Besser Charitable Fund of the
Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
Kay and Elliot Cattarulla
Cal and Clare Chaney Family Fund
Annette Corman
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP
McCool Law Firm PC
Pat Porter
Cynthia and John Rutherford
Unishippers
Barbara van Pelt
Well Read Women
Westwood Holdings Group
Linda and Steve Blasnik
Carole Braden
Patti and Roger Clapp
Communities Foundation of Texas
Einstein Printing / Master Press
Sandra Johnigan and Don Ellwood
Randol Rodgers
Jeri Baker
Katie Bliven
Beverly and Malcolm Bonnheim
Mimi Campbell Cole
Joan Davidow and Stuart Glass
Susan Fisk
Susan Fleming
Olamaie and Randall Fojtasek
Susan Harris
Sharolyn and Robert Headroe
Charlene Howell
Rebecca Jerry
Sue and Phil John
Susi Parks Grissom
Andrea and Will Pender
Ann Piper
Stefanie Schneidler and Jeffrey Robinson
Joy Strickland
Martha Stowe and Ken Benson
Margaret Wilonsky