The Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries have announced the theme for their third annual gala: “Spies, Lies & Literature.” This celebration of the spy thriller genre will be a public fundraiser held on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Roseville Library, 2180 N. Hamline Ave.
The gala will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and feature a silent auction, a live auction, hors d’oeuvres, wine, live music, dancing, a spy hunt, prizes and more. Kerri Miller from Minnesota Public Radio will emcee the program. All proceeds benefit the seven Ramsey County Libraries.
The live and silent auctions will feature dining and sightseeing experiences, sports memorabilia and tickets, artwork, comedy and theater tickets, autographed books and gift baskets. Authors William Kent Krueger and David Housewright will attend the event and auction off the opportunity to name characters in their next novels. Additional auction items will include the opportunity to operate a bulldozer or giant excavator in the ultimate sandbox experience or win an exclusive, live meet-and-greet with the Como Zoo giraffes.
The 2015 Friends Gala was attended by more than 250 people and raised $30,000 to add 1,500 new items to the lending collection of the Ramsey County Libraries located in Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North St. Paul, Roseville, Shoreview and White Bear Lake.
Costumes or festive evening attire are encouraged but not required. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Gala-goers aiming for an “elegant espionage” feel can dress as secret agents from all kinds of authors’ work. Costumes can be as simple as wearing a trench coat, sunglasses and a hat.
This event is open to the public and tickets may be purchased online or by mail for $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door; $25 of each ticket is tax deductible as a donation. To order or learn more, visit www.rclfriends.org/gala2016.
