The Library Foundation for Sarasota County raises $ 414,000 to support Sarasota County public libraries at annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County welcomed 600 guests to its 12th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon at the Municipal Auditorium on February 9, raising a record-setting $414,000 to support Sarasota County public libraries. The guest speaker was two-time Pulitzer Prize winning best-selling author Colson Whitehead. His talk was followed by a question-and-answer session led by Dr. Renee Di Pilato, Director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources.
Event proceeds will help to fund Summer Learning programs at all ten Sarasota County public libraries, increase advocacy efforts, and send free books to Sarasota’s youngest residents through the Library Foundation’s partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Love Our Libraries author luncheon was supported by 45 community partners, including Presenting Sponsor, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and Author Reception Sponsor, Bookstore1 Sarasota.
“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.
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. To learn more about the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and how you can support its mission, please visit SarasotaLibraryFoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.
Alisa Mitchell, Executive Director, and Sarah Karon, Board President of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County
Colson Whitehead (right) signs Crook Manifesto and Harlem Shuffle for guests at 12th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon