At the end of this month, Isabel Norton will conclude four wonderful years as President of the Library Foundation’s Board of Directors. During her tenure, Isabel spearheaded a groundbreaking partnership with the Barancik Foundation to develop Creation Stations in each library branch, hired the foundation’s first full-time staff, celebrated the foundation’s 10th anniversary, and realized a long-standing goal to provide a pop-up library vehicle. Under Isabel’s leadership, the foundation secured more than $4.2 million in funding to support Sarasota’s public libraries.
As she prepares for a very well-deserved retirement, filled with great books and visits to her peaceful mountain cabin, we hope you’ll join us in thanking Isabel for the incredible job she has done making our libraries and our community better for everyone.
A homeschooling student completes schoolwork in the Selby Library Teen Center.
The California-based Anspar Foundation has gifted a $25,000 unrestricted grant to the Library Foundation for Sarasota County to support emerging needs of local public libraries.
Anspar President Michael Lewis, a Sarasota native and a 1990 graduate of Pine View School, was inspired to give back to the community he once called home. “Growing up in Sarasota, I always considered going to the library to be a treat, so I know how important and valued libraries are to the community. I’m pleased the Anspar Foundation can play a role in helping to secure their future,” Lewis said.
Children and dogs read together at the Jacaranda Library
This library program, a long-time favorite, pairs emerging readers with some furry friends from the Suncoast Humane Society. Children get to improve their reading skills by reading to these friendly canines, and the dogs…well, they get a field trip to the library and all the petting they can handle. Not to mention hearing some really great stories! There are dozens of partnerships like this in our libraries, and we’re grateful for every single one.
Vacation Essentials: sunscreen, a cold drink & a good book
Whether you’re headed to the mountains or the beach, to a big city or a small town, we know that you’ll bring a book (or six!) on vacation. Make sure you check out the New Books at the library to find your perfect summer read. Here are a few ideas to help get you started…
One of the best ways to ensure our libraries remain strong and accessible for future generations is to make a planned gift. Whether it’s including a bequest in your plans or making the Library Foundation a beneficiary of a retirement account, we have tools to help. You can use our online resource to help you create your will for free in just 20 minutes. Or, if you have an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will, you can use this secure online tool to easily identify beneficiaries.
If you decide to make a gift in your estate plans to the Library Foundation of Sarasota County, please fill out this form to let us know. We’d love to thank you for investing in strong public libraries as a part of your lasting legacy.
Great communities
deserve great libraries.
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.
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
