BOULDER

LIBRARY

GALA

BOULDER LIBRARY GALA

The 2026 Boulder Library Gala

featuring #1 best-selling author Virginia Evans of “The Correspondent”

will take place on

September 17, 2026 from 6pm – 9:30pm

at the Boulder Main Library

Individual tickets & table sponsorships are now on sale.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS & TABLE SPONSORSHIPS ONLINE

If you would prefer to pay by check, please contact us directly at (720) 551-8385 or info@boulderlibraryfoundation.org.

About the event

The Boulder Library Foundation welcomes the philanthropic and business community to support the Boulder Public Library and engage in one of Boulder’s most anticipated fundraising events: The 2026 Boulder Library Gala.

This year’s annual gala will engage readers, community leaders and library supporters for an entertaining evening with festive food and drink in the Boulder Main Library, a program featuring New York Times best-selling author of “The Correspondent”, Virginia Evans, and stories of lives forever changed by library programming and a paddle raise component where attendees will be asked to make a donation in support of our library.

Once again, the annual Boulder Library Gala will take over both floors of the Boulder Main Library’s southern half – transformed into the featured book for one unforgettable evening. Last year’s sold out, goal-surpassing event attracted 450 library supporters and netted over $150K for our library’s community programs. This year’s goals are even bigger, and all proceeds benefit library innovation, programs and facilities.

Event Structure

Downstairs reception with open seating, heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, book singing and activities amongst the stacks (6:00pm – 7:30pm)
Upstairs for dessert & wine at your table, the program featuring Virginia Evans and paddle raise (7:30pm – 9:30pm)

Other Event Info

Seating: During the downstairs reception, there will be open seating options for all guests available in several locations as well as high tops to stand by. During the upstairs program, table sponsors and their guests will have assigned 10 top tables and individual ticket holders will seat themselves at one of the high top options.
21+ Event: Considering there will be alcohol served at the event, we ask that attendees be at least 21 years of age and have your ID on hand.
Parking: Click here to be directed to the library website with information about parking. Considering the number of attendees, we are expecting parking to fill up so please plan accordingly.
Accessibility Considerations: If you are an individual ticket holder and unable to sit at a high top stool during the upstairs seated portion of the evening, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate. Parking spaces for persons with disabilities are located by the main (Arapahoe) entrance. There is an elevator accessible from this entrance and ramp access as well.
More details & helpful info to come!

Sponsorship Information

By purchasing a table, you can partner with the Boulder Library Foundation as a sponsor of our gala while also providing an entertaining evening for your clients, friends and family members. Each table sponsorship package offers noteworthy levels of recognition, and packages can be customized to meet your specific marketing and philanthropic goals.

VIEW & PURCHASE TABLE SPONSORSHIPS ONLINE – Click here, then the “Tickets & Tables” button on the event page, to view package options and to purchase online.

PURCHASE BY CHECK/OTHER METHOD – If you would prefer to pay by check or another method, please contact us directly at (720) 551-8385 or info@boulderlibraryfoundation.org.

OTHER WAYS TO SPONSORS

If you’re interested in event underwriting sponsorships with added exposure such as sponsoring the bar, guest gifted glassware, table wine or the VIP brunch following the gala, contact Julie Yates at julie@boulderlibraryfoundation.org or 603-991-8529. To view all of the underwriting opportunities, pricing and what’s included, click here.

About the Book

“The Correspondent,” released in April, is the best-selling title of this year at Boulder Bookstore, the most sought-after book at the Boulder Public Library, and currently the best-selling book in the United States, according to The New York Times. Katie Couric recently interviewed Virginia Evans on her first-ever book club talk. Good Morning America has featured her. The New York Times Book Editor had her on his podcast. NPR pondered her sleeper hit’s influence.

Evans’ debut novel features a woman who tries to heal old wounds and make sense of the world through letters. It’s an original, charming, funny novel about a life fully lived. It will provide the perfect backdrop for our annual event to raise funds for the Boulder Public Library.

Thank you gala sponsors

Event Sponsors

Denise Marino & Herb Paaren

Author Sponsors

BeeChicas

Nancy & Larry Wojcik

Book Sponsors

Dee Andrews • Chris Barge & Erin Koenig • Alice Brown • Kim & Ethan Decker • Kitty L. deKieffer • Emily & Doug Hamilton

Chapter Sponsors

Becca’s Book Club • Boulder Bookie Chicas • Ding-Jankura Family • Jennifer Donath & Karen McClellan • Josie Heath • Hiking Women’s Bookclub • IBG Book Group • Cara O’Brien • Andy Sayler • Judy Underwood & Jan Vanderlinden • Wombats Who Read

In-Kind Sponsors

Additional support from

Looking back at our 2025 Gala

Thank you to all of our gala guests & sponsors, featured author Shelby Van Pelt, and the numerous library staff members and library volunteers who made the 2025 Library Gala on September 18 in the Main Library such a resounding success. Together we created an event that provided more than $150,000 to our library’s outreach and literacy programs.

Thanks to Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Bear Gutierrez, we have a gallery of fantastic photos to share with you. Relive the magic of the 2025 Library Gala here.

We also added the video debuted at the gala, “Lindsey and David’s Library Story: Transforming Lives and Building Community”, to the Boulder Library Foundation’s YouTube channel. Thank you to videographer Eli Millner.

Listen to the Radio Book Club podcast recording on the KGNU Community Radio, 88.5 FM website to hear the live interview with Shelby Van Pelt and Q&A with guests, recorded at the Boulder Library Gala!

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About the Book

“Remarkably Bright Creatures” was one of the top three digital titles borrowed from the Boulder Public Library in 2024. The exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope traces a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus. The novel is being turned into a Netflix film starring two-time Academy Award winner Sally Field. Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. Her book, appearance and empowering message provides a perfect backdrop to celebrate a library and foundation on the rise.

Thank you gala sponsors

Event Sponsors

Author Sponsors

Nancy & Larry Wojcik

Book Sponsors

Dee Andrews • Alice Brown • Kitty L. deKieffer • Doug Hamilton

Chapter Sponsors

Chris Barge & Erin Koenig • Jennifer Donath & Karen McClellan • Adriana Farmer • Pati Frey • Hannon-Todd Family • Jim Hooton • MJ Koenig • Lori Lucas • Andy Sayler • Jenny Slade • Judy Underwood • Julie Yates & Tim Breen

In-Kind Sponsors

Additional support from

Looking back at our 50 Year Gala

In 2024, the 50 Year Gala featuring author Bonnie Garmus of “Lessons in Chemistry” took over both floors of the Boulder Main Library’s southern half in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th anniversary. We welcomed close to 400 people and NETTED more than $125K, after expenses! These proceeds directly supported our library’s outreach and literacy programs.

Our Pulitzer Prize-winning event photographer, Bear Gutierrez, curated a gallery of his best shots from the evening. Be sure to view the photos here.

Click here to listen to the Radio Book Club interview conducted live at the gala between Bonnie Garmus and Maeve Conran, brought to you by KGNU and the Boulder Bookstore.

Chef Dina Paz

(Pictured on right)

Original recipes for the food and signature drink served at the gala were developed exclusively for this event by chef Dina Paz.

Chef Dina is a self-described food nerd! For over 20 years, she has been a driving force in the food and beverage industry. Her passion lies in creating innovative and delicious food experiences informed by both deep culinary knowledge and cutting-edge insights. Chef Dina’s approach blends artistry with science, resulting in experiences that tantalize taste buds while fostering connection.

She collaborated with our caterers, Community Table Kitchen, to design bites and sips in keeping with the 1950s and ‘60s, when “Lessons In Chemistry” takes place and created a Transformation Lab during the event – exploring and showcasing the chemistry of food.

Bonnie Garmus

(Pictured on left)

“Lessons in Chemistry” was the #1 digital title borrowed from the Boulder Public Library in 2023. Many of you know the story: Set in the early 1960s, Elizabeth Zotts’ dream of being a scientist is put on hold when she finds herself pregnant, alone and fired from her lab. The novel was also turned into a popular mini-series starring Academy Award-winner Brie Larson.

Garmus’ book, appearance and empowering message provided a perfect backdrop to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Boulder Library Foundation.