We had a fabulous night celebrating the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s 30 years of impact and looking ahead to our bright future continuing to support for all 12 Long Beach Public Libraries.

View Our Digital Event Program & Photos

Thank you for making this year’s gala unforgettable! Browse the evening’s program and photos below.

View Digital Program Here
View Photo Gallery Here

September 27, 2026

Sunday Evening
5:30 – 9:00 PM
Billie Jean King Main Library
200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802

2026 Dinner Co-chairs

Billie Jean King
Founder, Billie Jean King Foundation

The Honorable Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, 4th District

The Honorable Rex Richardson
Mayor, City of Long Beach

Steve Goodling
President and CEO, Visit Long Beach

Dr. Noel Hacegaba
CEO, Port of Long Beach

Greg Zinberg
Senior VP and Business Unit Leader, Clark Construction

2026 Honorees

Sharon L. Weissman
Vice President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners,
Port of Long Beach

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Durnin Family Award

Library Leadership Award

Honorary Host Committee

The Honorable Robert Garcia, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives, D42
The Honorable Mike Gipson, Assemblymember, CA State Assembly, AD-65
The Honorable Josh Lowenthal, Assemblymember, CA State Assembly, AD-69
The Honorable Janice Hahn, LA County Supervisor, 4th District
The Honorable Rex Richardson, Mayor, City of Long Beach
The Honorable Roberto Uranga, Vice Mayor and Councilman, City of Long Beach, D7
The Honorable Mary Zendejas, Councilwoman, City of Long Beach, D1
The Honorable Kristina Duggan, Councilwoman, City of Long Beach, D3
The Honorable Megan Kerr, Councilwoman, City of Long Beach, D5
The Honorable Dr. Virginia Baxter, Trustee, Long Beach City College, Area 5
Bonnie Lowenthal, Commissioner, Board of Harbor Commissioners
David Zaid, Superintendent, Long Beach Unified School District
Doug Otto, Vice President, Long Beach Unified School District, District 4
Dennis Buchanan, Chief, Long Beach Fire Department

Gala Committee

Olga G. Chavez, Chair
Colleen Bentley
Celine Cordero
Anthony Digiovanni
John Edmond
Pearl Hanks
Barbara Long
John Mathews II
Liz Munzer
Nital Patel
Michael Vitug
Elizabeth Warren

Presenting Sponsor

Champagne Sponsor

Prosecco Sponsors

Margaret and Charles Durnin

Zinfandel Sponsors

Official Airline Sponsor

Cabernet Sponsors

The Lloyd and Lauretta Dyer Family Foundation

Pinot Sponsors

Anthony and Christine Digiovanni
Barbara Long and Friends
BPM LLP
CargoSprint
Charlyn Bender and Friends
CLEER-CA
Daniel and Pamela Munzer
Edison International
Edmond Group LLC
Frank and Margie Newell
IBEW 11 / NECA LA
Jack Irvin
Jacobsen Pilot Service
James A. Reep Family Foundation
John Mathews II and Friends
Koch Carbon
LiUNA! Local 1309
Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach Transit and Colleen Bentley
Marcus Tyson III
Oxbow Energy Solutions
PNC
Sean Reilly and Friends
Sharon L. Weissman
The Honorable Roberto Uranga, Vice Mayor and Councilman, City of Long Beach, D7
Verizon
Water Replenishment District
Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)
Windes

2026 Grape Expectations Invitation