Photo by Kyle Glenn via Unsplash/Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.
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Acclaimed filmmaker, Guillermo Del Toro, joined the Library Foundation of Los Angeles for a memorable evening honoring the power of storytelling and the importance of public libraries. The Frankenstein: Guillermo Del Toro in Conversation with Ken Sanders event at Union Station drew book lovers, film enthusiasts, and library supporters for a night of conversation, inspiration, and shared passion for literature.
The benefit was part of Rare Books LA Weekend, a two-day event celebrating antiquarian books, maps, fine prints, and book arts at Union Station Los Angeles. Presented by Netflix in partnership with Rare Books LA and the Library Foundation, the evening highlighted the collaborative spirit of the literary and arts communities in Los Angeles.
At the event, Del Toro spoke about his deep admiration for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, which inspired his upcoming film adaptation releasing in theaters on October 17 and on Netflix on November 7. He reflected on the enduring power of books and libraries as sanctuaries of imagination and memory, emphasizing their role in nurturing creativity, empathy, and community.
How much money did the event raise?
Del Toro announced a $50,000 personal matching gift, helping the sold-out benefit event raise a total of $100,000 for the Los Angeles Public Library. The funds will support the Library Foundation’s mission to strengthen the city’s libraries, including the long-term recovery of the Palisades Branch Library, which was destroyed in the January wildfires.
“We are deeply grateful to Guillermo del Toro for his generosity,” said Stacy Lieberman, president and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. “A master storyteller, he empowers other LA storytellers with this gift, which will help transform lives and fuel dreams through a range of educational programs and services at the Los Angeles Public Library.”