The Worcester Public Library Foundation is inviting the community to its signature annual fundraiser, Celebrate Our Library!, on Thursday, Nov. 5. The event will be held at the Main Library, 3 Salem Square, and runs from 5:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Featured authors
Bestselling novelist Celeste Ng will join authors Annabel Monaghan and Jennifer Givhan for an evening of conversation and celebration. Ng is known for the novels “Everything I Never Told You,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” and “Our Missing Hearts.” She grew up in Pittsburgh and Shaker Heights, Ohio, earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, and has received honors including the Pushcart Prize and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Monaghan, a New York Times bestseller, writes romance titles such as “Nora Goes Off Script,” “Same Time Next Summer,” and “It’s a Love Story.” Her books have appeared on reading lists for Good Morning America’s Book Club and the “Today” show’s best summer reads. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Duke University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and now splits her time between Connecticut and Florida.
Givhan, a Mexican American and Indigenous poet and novelist from the Southwest, has published five full‑length poetry collections and novels including “River Woman, River Demon,” “Jubilee,” “Trinity Sight,” and “Salt Bones.” She has received poetry fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and PEN/Rosenthal Emerging Voices. Givhan resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Program details
The evening will feature a moderated author panel, a fund‑a‑need auction, cocktails, and food provided by Simply Delicious Catering. Worcester Public Library Foundation President Stephanie Pasha will moderate the discussion. Pasha also serves as president of the Worcester Public Library Board of Directors and the Worcester Animal Rescue League, and was honored this year with the American Library Association Trustee Citation.
Award presentation
During the fundraiser, the foundation will present the 2026 Dr. Richard E. Greene Founders Award to Lisa Kirby Gibbs in recognition of her longtime support of the library. The award is given each year to an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the library’s mission.
Tickets and support
Tickets are $175 per person and include the author program, a copy of a book by one of the featured writers, cocktails, and catering. Attendees can purchase tickets through the foundation’s online registration page, email [email protected], or call 508‑799‑1656.
All proceeds from Celebrate Our Library! go directly to supporting resources and services at the Worcester Public Library, helping to sustain the library’s role as a cornerstone of education, literacy, and community life in Worcester.
Why it matters
Events like this fundraiser reinforce the library’s mission to provide free access to information, foster lifelong learning, and create a gathering place for families and individuals of all ages. By bringing nationally recognized authors to Worcester, the foundation not only raises essential funds but also inspires local readers and highlights the importance of supporting public institutions that uphold the values of family, faith, and individual liberty.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
