We were thrilled to welcome a sold-out crowd of 300 guests to our first annual Booked for Lunch—and our first author event since 2018!

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Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, and community supporters, we’re proud to make an initial investment of $25,000 toward the collection for Manatee County Public Library’s new bookmobile, coming in 2026.

 

Funds raised will also allow us to enhance our youth reading programs, including the exciting addition of 500 Books Before Middle School.

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We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this inaugural event such a success—and for helping us champion the future of our public libraries.​