"2008 Literary Lights for Children" award winner, Chris Van Allsburg (author of "The Polar Express"), autographs books for sisters Claudia, left, and Iona Forrester. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

On September 28, the Associates of the Boston Public Library (BPL) celebrated the tenth anniversary of the "Literary Lights for Children" Awards with a ceremony and tea party in the historic Bates Reading Room of the BPL.

The award winners - Susan Cooper, Christopher Paul Curtis, Laura Amy Schlitz and Chris Van Allsburg - were honored for their contributions to children's literature. The authors have collectively won dozens of major awards for their inspiring books, written for children and young adults.

The 2008 volunteer committee was co-chaired by Rebecca Forrester and Mary Pfeifer Lentz, with Barbara "Suki" de Bragança as the Honorary Chair.

Sponsors for the program included Scholastic Children's Book Publishing, Tiffany & Co., Talbot's Kids, along with other corporate sponsors and private donors.

"Literary Lights for Children" seeks to raise awareness of children's literature, promote literacy, honor children's authors, and raise money for the Library's children's services and collections.

Four students selected from Greater Boston area schools introduced and presented the awards to each of the honored authors. The honorees then discussed their writing careers and shared their love of books with the audience of more than 450 children and adults.

Immediately following the event there was a book sale and signings with the authors.

For information about future events, please contact the Associates Office at 617-536-3886 or visit www.LiteraryLightsforChildren.org.

Tony Bennett Will Perform at BPL Foundation Gala

The Boston Public Library Foundation is hosting a fabulous black-tie gala benefit event in the ballroom of the new Mandarin Oriental Boston Hotel on Sunday, November 9 beginning at 6 p.m.

The evening's theme is "The Best is Yet to Come!" and will be highlighted by the one-and-only incomparable Tony Bennett. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner and a special performance by Bennett. A private reception with this true icon is also planned after the show for event benefactors.

The gala's Honorary Co-chairs are Roberta and Stephen R. Winer and Marsha and Robin Brown. Co-chairs are Sharyn and George Neble and Ronald P. O'Hanley.

The Boston Public Library Foundation's mission is to enhance the public visibility and to raise public and private funds in support of the revitalization of the Library.

The Boston Public Library's mission is to preserve and provide free access to the historical record of our society while serving the cultural, educational and informational needs of the people of City and the Commonwealth.

For more than 150 years, the Library has been able to fulfill its promise "Free to All" because of the shared commitment and vision of a dynamic public/private partnership. This partnership was strengthened in 1992, when entrepreneur John Cullinane formed the Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3), to support the revitalization of the BPL.

Led by a 65-member Board of Directors, representing Boston's business and community leaders, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million since its inception and has greatly enhanced the visibility of the Library and all it offers to the citizens of Boston, New England and beyond.

Among the members of the BPL Foundation's Board of Directors are Brian Clancy, Laura DeBonis, Carol R. Goldberg, Paul T. Kraft, Donna Larson-Gittens, Lia G. Poorvu, Michael R. Sandler, Jacquelynne Stepanian, Tobias W. Welo and Diane Yarrow, just to name a few.

The BPL Board of Trustees includes Jeffrey B. Rudman, Esq., Chairman; The Honorable Angelo M. Scaccia, Vice Chairman; Zamawa Arenas, James Carroll, Donna M. DePrisco, Berthe M. Gaines, A. Raymond Tye and Karyn Wilson.

For tickets or more information about the special gala featuring Tony Bennett, please contact Daria McLean, Director of Development, at 617-247-8980 or visit www.BPLF.com.

Rachel Whiteread Exhibit at MFA through January 25, 2009

"Haunting and yet familiar" are the works of renowned sculptor Rachel Whiteread. Themes of absence and memory are embodied in her interpretations of everyday, domestic objects. An exploration of the artist's innovative works is presented in "Rachel Whiteread, An Exhibition" at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA).

On view through January 25, 2009, it is Whiteread's first solo museum show in the United States since the presentation of two sculptures in 2002 at the Guggenheim Museum, as well as the American premiere of her dramatic new installation "Place (Village)," courtesy of the artist and Gagosian Gallery.

For more information about the Museum of Fine Arts and its current exhibitions and programs, be sure to visit www.mfa.org.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
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