Rick Simoncelli, president of the St. Louis Public Library Foundation, says that the library’s first Winter White gala was well-attended with about 250 people paying $250 and up  for dinner and dancing at the fabulous Beaux Arts building on Olive Street.

He says about 100 more people showed up for the afterparty. Simoncelli said he was happy with the turnout, especially for the first year for the  fundraiser. The party grossed $145,000; Simoncelli says he doesn’t know yet what the net is. The money will go toward children’s programs in the library system, such as homework help.

In the meantime, the library foundation will consider whether to repeat the party next year - when the library will probably be closed for extensive renovations. They would have to use a different location. The renovation of Central Library is estimated to cost $70 million.