BOOKED for the evening

BOOKED for the evening 2025: Sarah Jessica Parker

BOOKED for the evening is The Westport Library’s signature fundraising event. On this occasion, the Library honors an individual whose work reflects the purpose of the Library: to nurture a love of learning and to enhance our understanding of the world.

On Wednesday, September 10, BOOKED for the evening celebrated its 26^th anniversary with a very special guest of honor: Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, publisher, and businesswoman Sarah Jessica Parker.

Click here to read the official announcement story.

Click here to read our recap story (with photo gallery) from BOOKED for the evening 2025.

Click here to watch our recap video.

About Sarah Jessica Parker

A notable advocate for literature and libraries, Parker has built a distinguished career both as an entertainer and champion of the written word. She launched SJP Lit in 2023, a literary imprint focused on underrepresented voices, and previously served as editorial director for SJP for Hogarth. She currently serves as a judge for the Booker Prize and received the PEN/Audible Literary Service Award this year.

Her commitment to literature extends beyond publishing. Parker has served as honorary chair of the American Library Association’s Central Book Club and as a board member of United for Libraries. She also executive produced The Librarians, a film about the fight against book bans which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. 

Parker has won four Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Emmy Awards across her career in television, film, and theater. She currently stars as Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO series And Just Like That, the revival of Sex and the City. Her film credits include L.A. Story, The Family Stone, Honeymoon in Vegas, State and Main, Ed Wood, and Footloose. Through her production company, Pretty Matches Productions, she developed HBO’s Divorce, in which she starred for three seasons and received a Golden Globe nomination.

Parker has also maintained a strong presence in theater since 1976, when she debuted on Broadway in The Innocents. She recently starred opposite Matthew Broderick in the revival of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite, earning a nomination for Best Actress at the 2024 Olivier Awards.

Through her literary work, Parker has championed diverse voices and stories. SJP Lit’s recent titles include They Dream in Gold by Mai Sennaar, Women and Children First by Alina Grabowski, A Quitter’s Paradise by Elysha Chang, and Coleman Hill by Kim Coleman Foote. With SJP for Hogarth, Parker published A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza, Golden Childby Claire Adam, and Dawn by Selahattin Demirtas.

In addition, Parker served on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities during the Obama administration and is currently vice chairman of the board of directors for the New York City Ballet.

About the Moderator

Maxine Bleiweis is recognized as a trailblazer in the public library profession, dedicated to opening doors for all — regardless of life’s circumstances. At just 24 years old, Bleiweis became a library director with a vision to create spaces where people could thrive, grow, and explore without the constraints of outdated rules or traditions.

Her reputation for innovation and inclusivity led to her selection as executive director of The Westport Library, a post she held from 1998 through 2015. During her tenure, Bleiweis transformed the institution from a traditional, well-respected library into a dynamic, community-centered hub of learning and engagement. Under her leadership, the Library became known not just for its collection, but also for its bold programming, forward-thinking technology, and welcoming atmosphere.

To support this vision, Bleiweis pioneered special fundraising initiatives, including the BOOKED for the evening gala, which she launched in 1999. The event was always a source of joy for her during her tenure.

In 2015, Bleiweis turned her focus outward, becoming a sought-after consultant for libraries across the globe. Through her guidance, countless institutions have reimagined their role in their communities, ensuring that libraries remain vibrant, inclusive, and open to all.

2025 Sponsors

Lead Sponsors

Jocelyn & Walter Barandiaran
Paula & Tom McInerney

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

BOOKED Committee

BOOKED Partners

Westport Magazine is the official media partner of BOOKED for the evening 2025.

Official Florist

Relive BOOKED for the evening 2025