Ten years later, thanks to a lot of hard work and an amazingly generous community, more than $8 million has been raised in support of the libraries and the Foundation. This year we’re celebrating all the library lovers who have made this success possible, starting with our very first Board of Directors.
Left to right: Mike Pender, Alice Rau, Robert Vedder, Karen Eastmoore, Shannon Staub, Charlie Huisking, Helen McBean, Cord Mellor, Ina Schnell, Linda Getzen. Not pictured: Kelley Lavin, Patricia Gussin. Robert Gussin, Director Emeritus John Jakes
Save the Date for our 10th Anniversary Author Luncheon, celebrating ten years of loving our libraries! Tickets go on sale this fall.
Advocating for Our Libraries
The Foundation’s Community Advocacy Team works throughout the year to advocate for robust public funding for our libraries. We’re grateful for the strong support from our local elected officials. Take a look at our 2021 Position Paper to learn more about the needs of our library system and how you can become involved.
Two families recently enjoying Selby Library
Schools + Libraries = One Great Partnership
Have you heard of ONEpass? It’s a partnership between Sarasota County Public Libraries and Sarasota County Schools granting students and school staff virtual access to a number of Sarasota County Libraries’ digital resources. All anyone needs is their school ID number. It’s just one example of the way our library collaborates with other community partners to offer our residents the best service possible.
In case you missed it, check out just one of the many library programs families enjoyed this summer.
This video was taken by Sergei Khadasevich when he and his family vacationed in Sarasota this summer. According to Sergei, “Sarasota County libraries are absolutely amazing. They organize very engaging, entertaining and creative events all summer long.” We agree!
A Tax-Savvy Way to Support the Library Foundation
Many of our supporters are surprised to learn about the most tax-savvy way to support the Sarasota Library Foundation: donating appreciated stock. Learn how you can save on taxes as you help support, educate, and advocate for strong public libraries in Sarasota County.
What are you reading?
We asked Board member Peter Pearson what he’s been reading lately.
I have been a fan of Louise Penny since I had the opportunity to meet her ten years ago. Her quirky characters who live in the fictional town of Three Pines, Quebec, Canada, are always memorable.
In The Madness of Crowds, her newest book, Penny dives into some current themes including an academic/statistician who is espousing some extremely controversial recommendations about the pandemic. Penny also deals with a parent’s difficulty raising a special needs child and the Chief Inspector’s difficulty in dealing with his son-in-law, whom he supervises.
Inserting some of these issues makes this latest Penny book seem less idyllic and more realistic. Of course she still manages to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere in the local bistro with its two large fireplaces and the scent of café au laits, baked goods and maple-cured bacon in the air. It almost makes this Florida transplant long for those sparkling snow-filled white landscapes that are depicted so beautifully in Penny’s books.
If you have never read Louise Penny, you need to give her a try.
Your tax-deductible gift helps ensure the future of our libraries as an indispensable community resource. Click on the button below to make a credit card donation, or click here to learn about more ways to give.
As the Library Foundation for Sarasota County, our mission is to secure the future of our libraries as an indispensable community service.
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County is a qualified tax exempt charity under §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture Consumer Services under §496.405, Registration No. CH35489
