About the top photo:  On the ceiling, directly above the globe chandelier in the Central Library's rotunda, is this sunburst image, which mirrors the sunburst design of the pyramid on top of the building, a further illustration of the building's theme: "the light of learning".
 

The following is a brief summary of just a few of the programs and services made possible by the generosity of individual, corporate and foundation donors to the Library Foundation.

 
2006

• Caroline Singleton made a pledge of $5 million to maintain and expand programs that address the problem of adult and family illiteracy. The new Caroline Singleton Adult Literacy Endowment will help provide for current and future literacy centers.
 
• Evelyn Hoffman, the Foundation's executive director, retired after 15 years as the organization's driving force. In recognition of her contributions to the Library and Foundation, Evelyn received the prestigious Light of Learning Award on May 18.
 
• With Foundation assistance, the Library launched DiverseCity, a series of free programs for children and families that highlighted the many cultures that comprise the city of Los Angeles.

 
2005

• On May 18, celebrated the 10th anniversaries of The Council of the Library Foundation, the Gregory Peck Reading Series and the Los Angeles Public Library Awards Dinner. Honorees were author Harper Lee, Lodwrick M. Cook and City National Bank.
 
• Launched Young Literati, a new support group for 21-45 year-olds with its own schedule of cultural and literary activities.
 
• Funded Student Smart, the Library's first citywide program designed to provide teens with information and resources to help them prepare for college.

 
2004

• Opening of the new Annenberg Gallery at the Central Library as a permanent showcase for the Library's impressive collections.
 
• Teen Screen, an expansion of the Library's Destination Success program.
 
• Presentation of the touring exhibition "Enterprising Women: 250 Years of American Business" at the Central Library, the only West Coast venue on the schedule.

 
2003

• Presentation of the touring exhibition American Originals: Treasures of the National Archives at the Central Library, the only West Coast venue on the schedule.
 
• Literary Odyssey Dinners, 51 privately hosted dinners, to benefit library reading enrichment programs for children and teens. Produced by The Council of the Library Foundation.
 
• ALOUD at the Central Library, expansion of seasonal literary and cultural series into one year-round program.

 
2002

• Renovation and expansion of the Central Library's Popular Library.
 
• Expansion of the Library's citywide Adult Literacy Program, including a larger and enhanced Literacy Center at the Central Library and new or improved literacy centers in eleven branch libraries.
 
• Camp LAPL, a new annual summer program for children living in downtown shelters.
 
• 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Library Foundation.

 
2001

• Destination Success, the Library's first citywide program designed to provide teens with information and resources to help them plan for the future.
 
• Dinosaur Days, a new citywide reading enrichment program for children.
 
• Cyber Carts, portable computer training labs to help adults master new technologies.
 
• Literary Odyssey Dinners, 54 privately hosted dinners, each honoring a distinguished writer, to benefit the Library's Adult Literacy Program. Produced by The Council of the Library Foundation.

 
2000

• Expansion of the Central Library's Teen'scape, making it one of the largest spaces dedicated exclusively to teenagers found in any public library in the country.
 
• Creation of the Gregory Peck Literary Endowment to support literary and cultural programs in the Central Library and community branches.
 
• Introduction of two literary series: Words in the World at the Central Library and L.A. Writes in the branches.
 
• Presentation of "Visible Traces: Rare Books and Special Collections from the National Library of China," an exhibition at Central Library that included objects never before seen outside China.

 
1999

• Exhibition sponsorship program initiated in conjunction with the opening of the Central Library presentation of Art.Rage.Us: The Art and Outrage of Breast Cancer.
 
• Creation of the 21st Century Fund for Children and Reading to provide ongoing support for enrichment programs and resources citywide.
 
• Turn of the Century Dinners, 60 privately hosted dinners, to benefit library reading enrichment programs for children and teens. Produced by The Council of the Library Foundation.

 
1998

• Debut of Electronic Neighborhood, an online, information-rich database that documents the many communities of Southern California.
 
• A citywide Library Card Registration Campaign that attracted thousands of new cardholders, especially new teen cardholders.
 
• Read to Me L.A., a citywide program created in collaboration with the Office of Mayor Richard J. Riordan to encourage parents to read to their children.
 
• A successful campaign on behalf of Proposition DD, the Branch Library Facilities Bond to expand or improve 28 branch buildings and establish 4 new branches in communities without libraries. The bond passed with an overwhelming majority of votes.

 
1997

• Celebration of the Los Angeles Public Library's 125th Anniversary with a series of special events across the city.
 
• 125th Anniversary Dinners, 77 privately hosted dinners that raised funds for the Library's virtual library campaign. Produced by The Council of The Library Foundation.
 
• Launch of annual Teen Summer Reading Club, featuring special activities targeting youth 11-18 years of age.
 
• First Teen Comic Age, featuring branch library workshops and a festival at the Central Library.
 

1996

• First annual Los Angeles Public Library Awards Dinner, honoring E. L. Doctorow, Gregory Peck and The Times Mirror Company. Proceeds benefit Library programs citywide.
 
• Racing Toward the Millennium, a Sunday afternoon literary series in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art.
 
• First annual Summer Performing Arts Series at the Central Library.

 
1995

• Debut of the renowned Gregory Peck Reading Series with a program of readings by Lynn Redgrave and Charlton Heston.
 
• Launch of a two-year, $2.5 million campaign to assist the Library implement its citywide virtual library project.
 
• Opening of the Central Library's first Teen'scape, with a homework center, special collections of books, and a full calendar of teen-oriented events.
 
• First annual L.A. Kids Read Festival at the Central Library, the official kick-off event for the Children's Summer Reading Club.

 
1994

• Libraries damaged in the Northridge earthquake receive extra funding for repairs.
 
• Central Library's first Cultural Programs Department debuts.
 
• Opening of Central Library's International Language Learning Center, featuring audio, video and print materials for the adult learner.
 
• Establishment of The Council of the Library Foundation by Flora L. Thornton and Joni Smith to raise funds for and awareness of the Library.

 
1993

• Central Library re-opening celebration on October 3, 1993, Attended by nearly 80,000 people.
 
• "Adopt-a-Branch" program, to provide funding directly to community libraries.
 
• Opening of Library Store. Proceeds from sales benefit Library programs citywide.
 
• Grandparents and Books, the Library's award-winning, volunteer reading program.
 
• Creation of Central Library's first Adult Literacy Center and Multimedia Computer Center for Children.

 
1992

• A Collection Endowment Fund, established to provide system-wide support for the Library's collections.
 
• Funds to replace books and materials for two branch libraries destroyed during the civil unrest.
 
• Official designation as a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation awarded in June.

 
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