WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Jenna Bush Hager may be a TV personality and bestselling author, but at the recent Booked for Lunch event in Lakewood Ranch, she felt more like a fellow book lover sharing stories with friends.
On April 4, the Library Foundation of Manatee County welcomed 300 guests to the Grove Restaurant for this sold-out fundraiser featuring Bush Hager as the keynote speaker. Educators, community leaders, and book lovers alike gathered for a shared purpose: to support Manatee County’s public libraries and their work to strengthen literacy and connection across the community.
“We’re thrilled to bring back our in-person author events for the first time since 2018 and to reintroduce The Library Foundation to the community,” said Executive Director Emma Hartman. “With Jenna Bush Hager as our featured speaker, we hoped to inspire a renewed commitment to supporting Manatee County Libraries and the vital role they play in education and access to knowledge.”
Founded in 1985, the Library Foundation raises private funds to enhance public resources, enabling libraries to offer free, high-quality services to every corner of the county. Through events like Booked for Lunch, the Foundation celebrates the power of storytelling and the lifelong impact libraries can have. After all, many in the room weren’t just there to see a TV personality; they came because books, libraries, and stories have shaped their own lives in meaningful ways.
With her blend of humor, warmth, and deep respect for the written word, Bush Hager was the perfect guest to headline the Foundation’s new literary tradition. She’s got an impressive resume: she’s a humanitarian, correspondent, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author, as well as the host of TODAY with Jenna and Friends and the founder of the “Read with Jenna” book club. And in every aspect of her work, she helps people rediscover the joy of reading.
Stories that Stay with Us
The event began with an inspiring video showing how Manatee County libraries support the community. Then, Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott joined Bush Hager on stage for a lively conversation about books, motherhood, and what it means to raise the next generation of readers. Bush Hager described the love of literacy her family instilled in her, especially her librarian mother and two book-obsessed grandmothers.
“One of my grandmothers lived a quieter life, but she was an avid learner and “traveled” the world by reading National Geographic,” Bush Hager said. “My other grandmother had the privilege of traveling for real, but she turned to books for companionship during difficult times. I think it’s so interesting how everyone looks to books for different reasons and to meet various needs.”
Her family’s influence stayed with Bush Hager, shaping not only her love of reading but also the way she now passes that tradition on to her own children.
“My most pressing memory as a child is being read to at bedtime,” she said. “It’s so important to give children access to books early in life.”
That idea—giving kids the freedom and joy to read—was central to their conversation. Bush Hager shared how she encourages her own children to read what excites them, from sports stories to romance novels. “We want our kids to find the joy, not be forced into burnout,” she said. “If they love a mystery, give them a mystery. If they love romance, give them that. Let them read what lights them up.”
She also spoke about the power of stories to spark meaningful dialogue. “Books take on important topics, and the conversations they spark can build empathy and lead to real change,” she said. Her book club, as well as her new publishing imprint with Penguin Random House, focus on debut authors and diverse voices—those who’ve historically been overlooked in publishing—because, as she explained, “That’s where the real conversations start.”
At the end of the event, Bush Hager signed copies of her children’s book, I Loved You First (co-written with her sister, Barbara Pierce Bush), and then graciously took time to chat and take photos with attendees.
Support that Sparks Learning
The event succeeded in what it set out to do: bringing the community together and raising essential support for the Library Foundation’s literacy initiatives, including:
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten – Encouraging families to read together, this program helps children build the early literacy skills they need to succeed in school. Families log the books they read (yes, repeats count!) and earn fun rewards along the way.
- 500 Books Before Middle School – A new initiative that keeps older kids engaged with reading, promoting a lifelong love of books during those important elementary years.
- Summer Learning Program – This program helps more than 2,000 kids and teens each year stay on track during summer break through themed challenges, reading logs, prizes, and engaging programs at local branches.
- StoryWalk – This interactive experience combines reading and outdoor exploration, with children’s books displayed page by page along walking trails. The first StoryWalks are being installed at DeSantis Park and Pride Park.
- The Manatee County Library Bookmobile – With a vehicle supplied by the county, the Foundation will launch a mobile library which will bring books, Wi-Fi access, and library services to neighborhoods that lack a nearby branch. It’s slated to launch in 2026.
“Manatee County faces significant literacy challenges,” Hartman said. “Every dollar raised helps strengthen library initiatives that provide access to books, resources, and educational opportunities for our entire community. We couldn’t do it without the support of our incredible donors and partners.”
While Booked for Lunch raised funds for specific projects, it also shone a light on the Foundation’s broader mission. Many families enjoy the LITtle Discovery Center close to Central Library, a hands-on learning space for ages 2–5 filled with STEM stations, storytimes, and take-home activity kits. The new Lakewood Ranch Library, which opened in January 2024, is another example of the Foundation’s impact. With help from other community partners, the Foundation contributed a matching grant of up to $200,000 to help fill its shelves.
Stocking books, launching new programs, and building partnerships with schools and nonprofits: in all its endeavors, the Library Foundation helps Manatee County Libraries meet the evolving needs of a growing population.
Safe Spaces in Every Season
As Foundation President TJ Kornett and others reiterated at the event, “Libraries aren’t just books.” In these welcoming spaces, children learn to read. Adults can acquire job skills, apply for jobs, get tech support, or learn a new language. Everyone has access to free classes and activities, from creative writing and painting to yoga, music lessons, and Mahjong. You can even rent a pressure washer from the library (which was surprising news to many guests at the event)! At the Palmetto Library, volunteers transformed an unused outdoor space into a beautiful garden where kids can learn about pollination.
Julie Perry, a volunteer with Friends of the Island Library, summed it up neatly: “Libraries are a tremendous resource for the entire community,” she said. “They’re a peaceful, wonderful breathing space that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.”
Having such a space can be particularly important during crises, as Anna Maria Island residents discovered last year. “The hurricanes were especially devastating for the island,” said Aaron Drake, Island Branch Library Supervisor. “But we were here for the community, offering a building with power, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi. We’re not just about books—we’re community centers. We are literally the lifelines of communities when it comes to disasters. We’re here to help people, and that means adapting to meet whatever needs arise.”
With events like Booked for Lunch, the Library Foundation has created a new way to support these vital spaces and those who depend on them. Libraries matter because people matter. They hold our stories—on the shelves and in the lives they help shape—and remind us that we’re writing this one together.
Get Involved
If you missed this year’s event, keep an eye out for future ones. The Library Foundation plans to make Booked for Lunch an annual tradition featuring exciting new speakers.
If you’d like to help grow Manatee County’s culture of reading and access to learning, visit www.manateelibraryfoundation.org to donate, volunteer, or find out how to participate in upcoming events.
