Friends of South Manatee Library

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County will host its 10th Giving Challenge from noon to noon, April 15–16, 2026. This 24-hour online event supports nonprofits across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties.

This is an ideal time to support the Friends of South Manatee Library, as all credit/debit card donations between $25 and $100 will be doubled. For example, a $25 gift becomes $50, and a $100 gift becomes $200.

To participate:

1. Between noon on April 15 and noon on April 16, visit www.givingchallenge.org.
2. Search for "Friends of South Manatee Library" in the top-right search bar to access the donation page.
3. Complete your gift with a credit card.

Please note that the match applies to donations $25 to $100. If you wish to donate more than $100 and have it matched, you may complete a second transaction using a different credit/debit card.

THE 2026 Giving Challenge is almost here!

Please support the Friends of South Manatee Library with a donation of $25-$100. All donations will be matched 100% by the Patterson Foundation in the 24 giving challenge, from noon on April 15 to noon on April 16. All donations must be done online and with a credit card. More info is on the way!

CHECK OUT OUR NEXT RAFFLE BASKET

7 books-including 2 about the Ringling Museum
A 500 piece puzzle
Circus candy! Cracker Jacks, candy corn and animal crackers
A framed clown print by the artist Dorstein
A beautiful circus box
Elephant Earrings
and
GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TWO TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE AT MANATEE PLAYERS AT YOUR CHOICE OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
BRIGHT STAR March 5-15

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE April 9-26

BIG FISH April 23-May 3

Tickets are only 3/$5 and the drawing will be Saturday, February 28

ATTENTION: VALENTINES/CHOCOLATE LOVERS

Come in and see our beautiful basket made just for you: 14 books with a chocolate theme, a puzzle, a DVD, loads of sweet treats and a local favorite: a gift certificate for Manatee County's own Richey Chocolates!

You will be soooo popular when you present your Valentine with this gorgeously put together gift, all wrapped up even with a bow! Or maybe it's time for a little self-love, and this may be just the thing you need for those post holidays doldrums. All we know is someone is going to be very happy when they win this basket!

Tickets are only 3/$5 and all the money raised stays at the South Manatee Library to pay for all the great and ALWAYS FREE programming coming up in 2026.

Winning ticket will be drawn on Friday, January 30 at 4:00 pm, so come on in and take a chance.

Happy New Year Friends!

Are you clearing the clutter for the new year?

The Friends of South Manatee Library are running low on certain books and will happily accept your new or like new items in the following categories:

DVDs and CDs

Hard cover fiction.

Mass Market paperbacks (the smaller ones).
We currently have overflow in the Trade paperbacks,the larger ones and don't need any more at this time

Puzzles 300 and 500 piece (or less). We have an overflow of 1000 piece puzzles and do not need any at this time

Large print books, any genre

You can bring the books into the library and just tell one of our friendly librarians these books are for the Friends!

DRAWING TODAY AT 4:00 pm!!

Today's the last day to purchase your tickets for our great Holiday Raffle! Over 20 beautiful gift baskets , many that contain gift certificates to local vendors, and a few pieces of art to choose from!

Something for everyone.

Come in today and choose your favorites and buy some tickets for only 3/$5 .

We will call the winners today to let you know that you won and to arrange pick up.

GOOD LUCK!! and remember that all proceeds (100%) remain with the Friends of South Manatee Library, to pay for adult and children programming, classes and events that are always free and open to everyone in the community!

Here's a partial listing of our raffle baskets! More to come!

Here's the second page of our Holiday raffle baskets! Check it out!!