Library Foundation Gala Raises Funds, Draws Community Leaders

The Humboldt Library Foundation staged its Holiday Gala on December 9, a sold out fundraising event designed to support public libraries across Humboldt County. The evening opened with a no host cocktail reception at 5 30 p.m., followed by a catered dinner at 6 30 p.m., and concluded with a live auction conducted by Senator Mike McGuire. The foundation listed multiple ticket and patron levels for the event, including Luminary, Helen Everett Circle, Literary Lion, Laureate, Book Lover, and Bibliophile, and publicly thanked sponsors and past patrons on the event page.

As a major annual fundraiser, the gala plays a practical role in the county library system by generating private donations that supplement public funding. Those donations are recognized through named patron levels and sponsorship opportunities, which the foundation uses to acknowledge contributions and cultivate ongoing support. For local residents, the gala demonstrates one way that community resources and civic leaders come together to sustain library services, programs, and collections that county budgets may not fully cover.

The presence of an elected official as auctioneer highlights the intersection between civic leadership and nonprofit fundraising. That visibility can raise the profile of library needs and potentially influence public discourse about library funding priorities. At the same time, reliance on philanthropic events raises institutional questions about equity and accountability, especially when access to donor recognition and influence is structured through tiered giving levels.

The HLF event page indicated the gala was sold out and provided contact information and a waiting list email for those wishing to be added. For taxpayers and library users, the event underscores the importance of monitoring how supplemental funds are allocated and how donor recognition shapes institutional priorities. As Humboldt County moves into the new year, the outcome of this fundraiser will inform the foundation and library system as they plan programs, outreach, and budget priorities for 2026.