Ann Patchett espouses importance of libraries at Library Foundation luncheon

Connie Davis, Arthur Wood and Lynn Morris

Library Foundation Chair Sarah Karon with husband, Paul, and Mira Akins and Jack Paley

Alisa Mitchell, executive director of the Library Foundation, gives a statistic that 1/4 million audio books were lent out in 2024.

Award winning authors and best friends since they were in their twenties are Elizabeth McCracken and Ann Patchett.

Todd Sweet, Joe Carter and Philip Lanham

Tris Downer and Claudia Cardillo have their books autographed by author Ann Patchett.

Marilyn Thompson and Mary Braxton-Joseph attend the Love Our Libraries author luncheon at The Ora.

Howard Tipton, Sarah Karon and Jen Ahearn-Koch

Vic and Char Romano

Phillip Lanham, Ann Patchett, Jennifer Johnston and Rachel Denton

The 13th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon was held on Feb. 7 at The Ora in Sarasota with 600 guests.

The 13th annual Love Our Libraries Luncheon featured award-winning author Ann Patchett.

Alison and Ron Cutsinger with Sarabeth Kalajian

The 13th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon was held at The Ora on Feb. 7 with 600 guests in attendance.

Phyllis Barry and Ruth McLaren

Char Romano is excited for her signed copy of author Ann Patchett's 2024 novel, Tom Lake.

Robin Radin, Jake Zeigler and Tony Souza

Jane Kirschner, Sonya Kristie and Sheryl Vieira

Mickey Kunk, Barbara Siemer and Ann Casto

Liliane Scire and Chris Spirgel

Sponsors receive table photos with award winning author Ann Patchett (standing 3rd from L).

Esther and Mark Smith

Veronica Brady is always all smiles.

Sponsors receive table photos with award winning author Ann Patchett (standing, 2nd from L).

Sponsors receive table photos with award winning author Ann Patchett (standing, 6th from L).

Award winning author Ann Patchett was the guest speaker at the Love Our Libraries 13th annual event held on Feb. 7 at The Ora.

Donna Garriques and Chris Spirgel

The 13th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon featured award winning author Ann Patchett.

Award winning author Ann Patchett takes a bow as she tells her 600 readers that two of her books were banned in a county in Florida. Her books, Bel Canto and The Patron Saint of Liars, were pulled in 2024.

Elizabeth McCracken and Ann Patchett are speakers at the 13th annual Love Our Libraries author luncheon held on Feb. 7 at The Ora.

Peggy Algozzine, Kim Johnson, Deb Ayres and Debra Landesberg

Lara Yull, Eileen Scudder and Jen Comparoni

Tom Edwards, Mary Lou Winnick and Susan Buck

Award winning author Ann Patchett signs a copy of her book The Dutch House for Cyndi Nelson.

Mariannne Cohen, Suzanne Drake, Cyndi Nelson, Saji John, Sarah Smith and Alison Vesco are members of the 45-year-old book club, Sarasota County Medical Alliance.

Jensy Richards, Jacqueline Royal, Michael Ann Wells and Susan Felber

Sheldon and Lynne Sandman take a golf cart ride from the Ora's parking lot up to the event.