Tickets are on sale now for a “Pawsitively Tail-Wagging” event to benefit Stanislaus County libraries.

The Stanislaus County Library Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for all 13 branches of the Stanislaus County Library system, including the Oakdale and Riverbank locations, will host its annual Author’s Garden Gala on Saturday, Sept. 23. Tickets are available now and may be purchased through Friday, Sept. 8.

The evening includes a social hour at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., followed by a Fund-A-Need auction and author interview. This year’s speaker is local author, literacy advocate and animal lover Hillari DeSchane.

Ms. DeSchane writes “fatally fun” family-friendly novels that combine her favorite things: mystery, humor and animals.

Proceeds from this year’s Fund-A-Need auction will be used to purchase books in the teen-favorite manga genre. Manga is an umbrella term for a wide variety of comic books and graphic novels that are popular with young readers. Library staff can attest that manga, which draws in young people with art and words, is often an entry to becoming hooked on reading. The Foundation also wants to fund library programs, including a manga book club for teens.

Tickets are $150 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 209-523-9093 or contact the Library Foundation at stanlibfoundation@gmail.com

Established in 1994, the Stanislaus Library Foundation enriches lives in the community by raising funds to support key library programs, increasing awareness, and advocating for a vital library.