Total of $509,460 reported
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County welcomed 600 guests to its 13th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon at The Ora on Feb. 7, “raising a record-setting $509,240” to support Sarasota County’s public libraries, the Foundation announced this week.
“The guest speaker was international best-selling author and champion of literary culture, Ann Patchett,” a news release notes.
The event proceeds “will enhance Summer Learning programs at all ten Sarasota County public libraries, increase advocacy efforts, and enrich the libraries’ audio book collection,” the release points out.
The Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon was supported by 50 community partners, including the Presenting Sponsor, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and the Author Reception Sponsor, Bookstore1 Sarasota, the release adds.
“We’re incredibly grateful for our community partners and donors whose generous support helps the foundation to strengthen Sarasota’s public libraries,” said Alisa Mitchell, the Library Foundation’s executive director, in the release.
“The mission of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County is to champion strong public libraries, support innovation and help to extend the library system’s reach for everyone in Sarasota County,” the release explains. “Since its founding in 2011, the nonprofit Library Foundation for Sarasota County has raised more than $8 million in private funds for the benefit of Sarasota County public libraries,” the release adds.
To learn more about the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and how to support its mission, the release says, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.