Alan Bennett, Gloria Steinem and More Among NYPL's 2015 'Library Lions'

The New York Public Library's annual Library Lions Gala, recognizing individuals for their outstanding achievements in the fields of art, culture, scholarship, and letters, will be held at the Library's landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Monday, November 2.

This year's class of "Library Lions" includes:

- Alan Bennett, award-winning author and playwright

- Judith A. Jamison, heralded dancer and choreographer

- Maira Kalman, celebrated author and illustrator

- Karl Ove Knausgaard, groundbreaking novelist

- Gloria Steinem, world-renowned activist

Grammy Award winner Renée Fleming will be the evening's special musical guest. Cocktails will begin at 7 p.m., followed by dinner and a formal program in Astor Hall. The event is black tie.

The 2015 Library Lions Co-Chairs include:

- H.R.H. Princess Firyal

- Mrs. Oscar de la Renta

- Mr. Bayo Ogunlesi and Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi

- Mr. and Mrs. John Paulson

- Mr. Steven Rattner and Ms. Maureen White,

- Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Schwarzman

- Mr. James S. Tisch and The Honorable Merryl H. Tisch

- Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Wachenheim III

- Mrs. John L. Weinberg

On the night of the gala, the Library will unveil a special, limited edition MZ Wallace tote bag that will be sold to support the institution. The bag -- featuring the drawing No Title (Good prose is...) by renowned American artist Raymond Pettibon -- will be available to the public on Nov. 3 at The New York Public Library store, online, and at several New York City retailers for $195, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to The New York Public Library.

For over 30 years, the Library has honored those who have made significant contributions to New York City and to the creative community at large during its annual gala, with previous honorees including South African President Nelson Mandela, author Elie Weisel, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, and director Martin Scorcese. Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers, Kazuo Ishiguro, Robert B. Silvers and Anna Deavere Smith were last year's Library Lions.

For more information on how to attend this year's gala and support the Library, contact NYPL's Associate Director of Benefit Events Cara Bender at carabender@nypl.org.

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations -- including research and branch libraries -- throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.