Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library Launch Fill the Shelves Campaign with a $200,000 Match

October 18, 2022 – Sarasota

A library is more than shelves holding book collections. A library is a place for children to develop life-long learning habits. A library is a community gathering place. A library provides resources and tools for education. A library is the backbone to a prosperous community. Libraries make a difference. Libraries are for everyone.

Manatee County is building the seventh library branch at 16410 Rangeland Pkwy in Lakewood Ranch. The library is on-track to be complete in the fall of 2023. The County is funding the cost of construction, $17.3 million, and budgeted $580,000 for collections. Throughout the construction process, additional shelving was incorporated into the plans, allowing for a larger opening day collection, now anticipated to cost $990,000.

The Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library accepted a challenge to raise $410,000. The Fill the Shelves Campaign will bridge the gap to purchase the opening day collection. Donations received will be used to purchase toddler board books, children’s young readers, young adult books, large print materials along with multicultural and bilingual books to serve the entire Manatee County library system.

The Library Foundation, Inc. voted unanimously to support the opening day collection with a $200,000 match opportunity to support the Fill the Shelves campaign. “Every board member was pleased to step forward to contribute to this most worthwhile need and we felt fulfillment of duty,” says A. Donald Janezic, Jr., Library Foundation board chair.

“Manatee Libraries collaborates with schools and civic groups to provide resources for residents of all ages. We are thankful for the support from The Library Foundation to create a broad and connected learning network,” says Tammy Parrott, MLS, MPA, Library Services Manager.

The Friends have been advocating the need and fundraising since 2017 when the announcement was made that East County was getting a library. “The Library Foundation match is such an overwhelming display of support, we are beyond grateful,” said Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library president Sue Ann Miller, Ed. D.