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Manatee Library Launches All Booked Up Today -
A Spring Reading Challenge for Adults!

Launching TODAY at Manatee Library!  We are excited to announce All Booked Up, a spring reading challenge just for adults running from March 1-April 30!

Like with our children's programs, fun prizes will be available. Everyone who earns 5 entries will win a Manatee Library tote bag (shown here)! And top prizes include Kindle Fire tablets and custom mug and coaster sets!

Stop by any Manatee Library location to get started!
What's Coming This Month
Pot of Gold Celebration

A leprechaun dropped his gold all around the Palmetto Library. Can you beat all the games and win back the pieces?

Fun for the whole family in celebration of St. Patrick's Day!  Food, music, and games will be available. No registration required.

Palmetto Branch

March 11 | 12 - 2pm | All Ages


Learn More >>
 
New Month, New 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Prize!

Time to reveal our next prize for the new 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program - for 750 Books read! A custom farm-themed sticker book celebrating your child's milestone!

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy initiative that encourages families to read 1000 books with their children before kindergarten. Everyone is eligible to win other great prizes throughout the program.  The last prize we will reveal is for reading the full 1000 books so stay tuned! Come to any Manatee Library location to sign up!


Learn More >>
 
Aging Information Events

These two informative presentations will address key topics related to aging.

Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
Braden River Branch
March 3| 10 - 11am | Adults

More Info & Registration >>


Aging Series: Disaster Preparedness
South Manatee Branch
March 16 | 10 - 11am | Adults

More Info & Registration >>

 
For All the Mystery Readers!

Calling all Mystery fans!  Our Manatee Library NextReads e-newsletter can help you find your next great read!

This monthly email newsletter highlights trending books and hot new releases in the mystery genre. Bonus - our Manatee Library team selects only books found at the library!

Use the link below to sign up for this or any of our other 20 NextReads genres (thrillers and suspense, New York Times bestsellers, romance, business and finance, children's books and more)!

Sign Up >>

 
Support the Library at Music on Main!

As we get closer to the opening of our Lakewood Ranch branch, we are excited to have a monthly presence at Music on Main!  Come stop by our Manatee Library table to learn more about our new All Booked Up and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programs, or help a friend get their library card. 

This month is particularly special because all funds raised at Music on Main go to the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, the charity of the month.  Come listen to great music, enjoy good food and support the Library!


Learn More >>

 
Mushroom & Garden Gnomes:
A Teen Spring Crafting Event

In this crafting event just for teens, start off this spring with your favorite fungi! We’ll make fairy gardens, mushroom themed crafts, and paint garden gnomes too.

No registration is required.


Braden River Branch
March 4 | 3 - 4pm | Teens

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Introduction to Flash Fiction

"Flash Fiction," "Micro Fiction," and "Sudden Fiction" are small, bite-size stories. They can be as long as two pages or simply a sentence. They offer a taste, a feel, a character, a choice, a start, an end. In this introduction to Flash Fiction, we will look at the elements and arcs of these micro pieces and the wonderful worlds they create.

The session is lead by Julieanna Blackwell, author of short stories and essays and the former Flash Fiction editor of the award-winning 805Lit.

Central Library

March 20 | 6 - 7pm | Adults

Register >>
Event Spotlight
March 11: Touch a Truck at our Rocky Bluff Branch!
Other Library News
Manatee Library continues the exciting upgrades to its technology with new "4 in 1" machines!

We now have new "4 in 1" machines available at all of our locations! These machines copy, fax, scan and print, including color copying/printing capabilities! Faxing and scanning remain free, black & white copying/printing is 10 cents per page and color copying/printing is 50 cents per page. You may also use the machines for double sided projects (note: price is twice the one sided page cost per page).

These machines are open to the public and available on a first come, first serve basis.
 
Thank you for all your support during our technology upgrades!

We have been working hard in 2023 on a wave of technology upgrades to enhance our services.  We know that this process has caused some inconvenience to our patrons and we appreciate your patience!  We are near the end of the current phase of upgrades, with no more location closures and only limited service interruptions remaining.  

We cannot wait to launch the new services that will result, such as self check-out machines and remote printing - stay tuned!
 
Congrats to Hal Harmon, Rocky Bluff Branch Supervisor!

We are thrilled to share that Hal was awarded a Service Award for his "dedication, service and contributions" to Manatee County Emergency Management last month.  Hal not only is the Supervisor of our Rocky Bluff Branch, but has played a lead role in emergency efforts by the County.  

Thank you for your service, Hal - and we appreciate all that you have done to earn this well-deserved recognition!
 
Special Events
Women's History Month:
Pioneer Women of Manatee


In honor of Women’s History Month, join us for this special event, Pioneer Women of Manatee, at our Island Branch.  In this engaging discussion, learn more about the trials and triumphs that pioneer women of the Village of Manatee encountered while settling the area we now call home.

Island Branch
March 20 | 11am - 12pm | Adults


Learn More >>

 
Commissioner Town Halls

Manatee County Commissioners George Kruse and Amanda Ballard will each be hosting Town Halls this month at Manatee Library locations.  These Town Halls allow Manatee County residents to join them for discussion and Q&A on topics related to the county.

Commissioner Kruse Town Halls
Island Branch
March 1 | 6 - 8pm | Adults
Rocky Bluff Branch
March 22 | 6 - 8pm | Adults

Commissioner Ballard Town Hall
Palmetto Branch

March 21 | 7 - 8:30pm | Adults

Learn more >>
 
Jewelry & Accessory Sale

The Friends of the Island Library are having a flashy fundraiser this month, a jewelry and accessory sale! The Island Branch will be transformed into a jewelry showroom!  Gently worn items for sale range from costume jewelry to designer pieces, including sterling silver, 14K gold, vintage, rings, watches, and more.  Fun shopping all in support of the Library.  

Island Branch
For Friends members only:
March 9 | 3 - 7pm
Open to the public:
March 10 & 11 | 11am - 4pm | All Ages

 
Library Planting Party

Help us revamp the Palmetto Library’s Florida Friendly Demonstration Landscape! We will have water, basic tools, and gloves on hand, but you are encouraged to bring your own. Please wear sunscreen, closed toed shoes, and bring anything else you may need.

Ages 12 and under need and adult/guardian present. Sponsored by the Palmetto Friends of the Library. For more gardening fun, check out the Palmetto Library Garden Club and Seed Library.

Palmetto Branch
March 25 | 8:30 - 11:30am | All Ages


Register >>
 
Mega Mystery Book Sale

A fun book sale filled with mystery! Most items for sale will be in the mystery genre, everything from paperbacks to first editions! Come ready to browse and support the Library.

Hosted by the Friends of the Central Library.

Central Library
March 18 | 10am - 4pm | All Ages

Learn More >>

 
Gulf Coast Flute Choir Concert

Enjoy a free flute concert performed by the Gulf Coast Flute Choir!  Gulf Coast Flute Choir is made up of adult flutists from Manatee, Sarasota, and Pinellas counties. The flute choir plays a wide variety of pieces from classical to pop to show tunes to patriotic music. The music is written specifically for flute choirs, consisting of many parts, with the addition of the piccolo, E flat, alto and bass flutes to expand the range as in a vocal choir.

South Manatee Branch

March 17 | 6 - 7pm | All Ages

Learn More >>

Library Resource Spotlight
Seed Library

The Seed Library is taking root at our Palmetto Branch! In partnership with the UF/IFAS Extension Service, we give out seasonal Florida-friendly flower and vegetable seeds to anyone in the community on a first-come-first-served basis. In addition, several programs are offered for gardeners, beginning or expert, and the Garden Club meets every third Saturday of the month. Come explore your green thumb with us!
Flipster

Read popular magazines on your computer or download the app on your smartphone or tablet to read offline, anytime, anywhere. Magazines available include Time, National Geographic, People, Us Weekly, Good Housekeeping, Southern Living, Food Network Magazine, Men’s Health, and many more!

Start Reading >>

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