2025 Starry Library Laureates Gala Supports the San Francisco Public Library

May 3 was a big night on San Francisco’s literary calendar, as Friends of the San Francisco Public Library hosted their biannual benefit gala, featuring some of the Bay Area’s brightest literary lights. Journalist and renowned Silicon Valley chronicler Kara Swisher, writer-activist Rebecca Solnit and multidisciplinary artist Lava Thomas were among the local luminaries on hand to support the city’s public library system. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie also made an appearance to help the event raise over $560,000 to support a variety of free programs and resources in the Library’s 28 branches.   

The Laureates Gala is unique in that each table for the sit-down dinner hosts a Library Laureate honoree, creating space for meaningful conversations over a shared meal in the historic Main Library affinity centers. Authors, artists and library lovers came together for an evening of literary celebration and community connection. Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and advocates for a premier public library in San Francisco, and equity and access to free resources for all.