Founded in 2011, nonprofit organization raises funds for the benefit of county’s public libraries
Sarah Karon has been elected president of the board of directors of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, the nonprofit has announced.
Karon brings to the position “more than 25 years of leadership and board development experience with mission-driven organizations in education, the arts, women’s health, and democracy and civil discourse,” a news release says. She has held the office of vice president for the Library Foundation since 2017, the release adds.
“I am deeply honored to serve as our Library Foundation’s next president,” Karon said in the release. “Libraries represent the best of Sarasota County as places of welcome and wisdom, exploration and inspiration. All of us at the Foundation look forward to a great year connecting with our fellow Sarasotans in the spirit of giving back to these worthy institutions that do so much for our communities,” Karon added in the release.
Ilene Denton, retired senior editor at Gulf Shore Media, will serve as vice president, the release notes. Kat Hughes, executive editor and chief operating officer of the Observer Media Group, will serve as treasurer, the release continues, while Hank Tafaro, retired chair and CEO of the Hanleigh Companies, will serve as secretary.
“I am delighted to welcome our new board leadership to the Foundation,” said Alisa Mitchell, executive director of the Foundation, in the release. “Their diverse nonprofit experience and commitment to supporting and advocating for public libraries make them ideal thought leaders who will build on the Foundation’s efforts to secure the future of our library system,”
Since its founding in 2011, the Library Foundation for Sarasota County has raised more than $8 million in private funds for the benefit of Sarasota County public libraries, the release notes. To learn more about the Foundation how the public can support its mission, visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.