Tickets for the second annual Booked for Lunch fundraiser are nearly sold out, with best-selling author James Patterson set to headline the Friday, Oct. 23, event at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa.
The Library Foundation of Manatee County is hosting the luncheon at 600 US-41 in Palmetto. The event runs noon to 2 p.m., with a book signing with Patterson following the luncheon. Tickets range from $250 to $650, with tables seating 10 guests.
The fundraiser comes at a pointed time for Manatee County's seven-branch library system, which includes the Lakewood Ranch Branch Library. MySuncoast reported that county libraries began reducing hours in early August due to a county-wide hiring freeze that has left the system operating with roughly 20% fewer staff.
Proceeds will fund library resources, youth literacy programs and expanded access to books and educational opportunities across Manatee County. The Library Foundation, a nonprofit operating since 1985, has previously supported the Lakewood Ranch Library's new collections, the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, mobile hotspot lending and the Summer Learning Program.
Patterson is also a literacy advocate beyond his writing career. His books have sold over 425 million copies worldwide, and he holds the Guinness World Record for most No. 1 New York Times best-sellers by a single author at 67. He has donated more than one million books to students and given $7.25 million to school and classroom libraries nationwide. He received the National Humanities Medal in 2019.
The Manatee County Public Library posted on Facebook on Aug. 6 that the event is nearly sold out, urging readers to act quickly.
Seats are still available.
Tickets can be purchased at the event's ticketing page. Groups wanting to sit together must purchase all tickets in a single transaction.
Coming up in the community:
- Friday, Oct. 23 — Booked for Lunch with James Patterson, noon, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa. Tickets: $250–$650.
