Photo Coverage: NYPL 'Library Lions' Benefit Honoring Albee, Ephron, Bryan and Rushdie 2008/11/04

Photo Coverage: NYPL 'Library Lions' Benefit Honoring Albee, Ephron, Bryan and Rushdie

Tuesday, November 4, 2008; Posted: 11:11 AM - by BWW News Desk

The New York Public Library honored playwright Edward Albee, children's author and illustrator Ashley Bryan, screenwriter and essayist Nora Ephron, and novelist Salman Rushdie at its annual Library Lions black-tie benefit on Monday, November 3, 2008, at the Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Master of Ceremonies for the evening's program was Nobel Laureate and Library Trustee Toni Morrison. The evening also featured a disco dance party hosted by the Young Lions, a membership group of New Yorkers in their 20s and 30s who support the work of the Library.

"The individuals we are honoring this year embody the highest level of accomplishment in their respective fields. Their achievements encompass a variety of rich forms of creative expression that the Library preserves and makes accessible in its collections," said Library President Paul LeClerc. "We are proud to recognize them as Library Lions for their groundbreaking artistry and for their noble commitment to a life of ideas, inventiveness, exploration, and thought."

The event's co-chairs were Mr. and Mrs. Oscar de la Renta; H.R.H. Princess Firyal and Mr. Lionel I. Pincus; Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Fuld, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. John B. Hess; Mr. and Mrs. Felix Rohatyn; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Schwarzman; and The Honorable Merryl H. Tisch and Mr. James S. Tisch. The Young Lions dance co-chairs are Mr. Nicholas T. Brown, Ms. Claire Danes, Ms. Amanda Hearst, Mr. Michael Hess, Mr. Hudson Morgan, and Ms. Andrea L. Olshan.

"The Library Lions benefit is our most important fundraiser of the year," said Catherine C. Marron, Chairman of the Library. "With the help of a group of dedicated co-chairs we are able to highlight the accomplishments of the Library and generate crucial support for our collections and operations."

For more information please visit www.nypl.org

Photos by RD/Leon/Retna Digital

Tina Brown