Celebrating the Power of Literature and Libraries: 35th Annual Literary Lights
In a time of rising threats to public institutions, the Associates of the Boston Public Library hosted its 35th annual Literary Lights Dinner on April 27 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza—an evening celebrating New England authors and the vital role of libraries in protecting knowledge, culture, and truth. The sold-out event raised over half a million dollars to preserve the BPL’s Special Collections, highlighting the Associates’ unwavering commitment to protecting these historic resources for future generations.
The night began with a festive cocktail reception and the “Read” Carpet, inviting guests to pose with books by honored authors and take part in interviews with James Bennett II, Arts & Culture Reporter for GBH and co-host of The Culture Show.
The dinner program, expertly hosted by GBH’s Jared Bowen, opened with remarks from Associates Board Chair Alyce J. Lee and Boston Public Library President David Leonard, whose rousing speech earned a standing ovation. Leonard praised the Associates’ essential role in preserving the BPL’s vast Special Collections holdings, and described public libraries as democratic spaces where equity, diversity, and access are not just ideals but lived realities.
The evening welcomed over 400 guests from Boston’s literary, business, arts, and philanthropic communities. Dinner Co-Chairs Natalie Lemle and Karen Osborn recognized the event’s generous sponsors, and guests were treated to the premiere of a new video featuring Wicked author Gregory Maguire. Watch here.
Throughout the evening, honorees and presenters offered deeply personal reflections on the transformative power of libraries: Honorees Curtis Sittenfeld and Elin Hilderbrand noted their lifelong love of libraries and the enduring importance of curiosity, community, and kindness in a time of cruelty.
David Grann emphasized that library collections were instrumental in uncovering the hidden history behind Killers of the Flower Moon, demonstrating how essential they are in preserving truth and collective memory.
Ilyon Woo dedicated her Literary Light honor to Ellen and William Craft, whose voices she uncovered in the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections. She credited the Associates of the Boston Public Library for preserving and digitizing these vital historic items, making them freely accessible.
The highlight of the evening was Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout’s keynote address. She reminded guests that libraries are unlike museums. They contain real treasures, like the BPL’s Shakespeare First Folio, or William Lloyd Garrison’s letters and newspapers, or John Adams personal library, which are open and free to all.
The 2025 Dinner was a powerful reminder that the Associates’ work is not just about preservation—it’s about democratization. Thanks to their efforts, anyone, anywhere can access Boston’s literary and historical treasures, ensuring that our shared stories remain visible, accessible, and protected.
You can support this essential work by making a donation to the Associates.
Notable guests included Ray Liu, Chair of the BPL Trustees; Library Trustees Christian Westra and Joseph Berman; Literary Lights presenters Tom Perrotta, Meredith Goldstein, Nathaniel Philbrick, Caleb Gayle, and Richard Russo; Joseph Finder, Chair of the Author Nominating Committee; Jeffrey Smith, Executive Vice President and Head of Wealth Management at Cambridge Trust, a division of Eastern Bank; Patrick Lee, Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Trinity Financial; Peter R.V. Brown, Nutter partner and former Associates Board Chair; and esteemed authors James Carroll, Megan Marshall, and Doris Kearns Goodwin, along with former Museum of Fine Arts Director Matthew Teitelbaum, among others.
We hope to see you at next year’s Literary Lights on April 26, 2026, featuring keynote speaker, author of Wicked, Gregory Maguire!
The night was magical, full of literary excellence and appreciation. We hope to see you at our 2025 Literary Lights!
