8 ukuleles donated to the new Lakewood Ranch Library

Tiffany Mautino, who will be the branch manager when the new Lakewood Ranch Library opens either late this year or early in 2024, notes that the new library will have power tools and cake pans.

And on Sept. 7, she could add ukuleles to that list.

"Traditionally, when it comes to a library, people have not thought about anything but books," Mautino said. "But we are going to have tons of non-traditional space. We're going to have community rooms and Makerspace."

On Sept. 7, Aloha Ukulele, a Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club, donated eight ukuleles worth about $800 to the library. The club presented the ukuleles to Mautino at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall North during its regular meeting.

With a group of just over 20 ukulele players strumming and singing in the background, Mautino talked about the club's generous contribution.

"The library runs on finite funds," Mautino said. "So donations like this help to keep it relevant. One of the fantastic things about taking this job was the outpouring of support from the community (for the new library). It all goes back to engagement."

So will Mautino learn to play the ukulele?

"I don't think so," she said. "My artistic talent went all to drawing."

Photo by Jay Heater

Alice Baumann, the president of the Aloha Ukulele, said Mautino could pick up playing the ukulele easily. She said any beginner will be playing a song by the end of the first lesson.

Baumann said it was a "natural" decision for the club to donate ukuleles to the new library. She said the club would like to offer beginner classes there as well as being part of the excitement surrounding the opening of a new library.

The club held a fundraiser in February, the Aloha UkeFest, which generated the funds to buy the ukuleles. They decided to buy durable ukuleles that came in a case for the library, and made several of the purchases at Bradenton's Music Go Round, which supports the club through owner Dave Satchel.

Baumann said the club members are thrilled that the new library is about to open.

"Personally, I have used the Braden River Library often," Baumann said. "Having this library right here in Lakewood Ranch will help bring the community together."

The club has between 20 and 40 members depending on the season and has members in age from 18 to 80. The club meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall North and the last Friday of the month at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.  Baumann said the club would like to host another meeting once a month at the new library.

Baumann said more information about Aloha Ukulele can be found by calling her at 917-669-3981 or by emailing her at [email protected].