For people who want to improve their French speaking skills and enjoy reading French-language articles and discussing them. Come practice speaking the romantic language of French.

Join us for a robotics workshop! During this one-day workshop, teams will build a robot and test it for movement. Once the robots are complete, we will have a competition for the fastest robot to complete its task!

Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities.

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play. Your child can practice social and motor skills while you chat with trained parenting educators.

Learn to knit or crochet! All ages and skill levels welcome! It is recommended to bring your own yarn and needles. Instructor-supplied yarns remain with the instructor weekly until piece is completed.

After completing the Computer Basics, Part 1, the student is ready to use the skills learned to access software and learn about Toolbars and Ribbons. The basics of file creating and organizing will be demonstrated.

The first hour:  participants will follow the instructor as she uses her own ancestor to demonstrate the features of Ancestry and HeritageQuest. 

Come use our Adobe/ Mac software and sewing machines on your own personal projects. Time slots are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

A six-part class to help children stay more focused and to concentrate better, important skills that can lead to enhanced student performance.

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play. Your child can practice social and motor skills while you chat with trained parenting educators.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Bug Songs is a fun program that will introduce children to music, songs about bugs, and educational, fun facts about bugs used in the performance.  Tom Cornwell performs this lively program for school aged children to 3rd grade.  Older s

Have fun finding out about all kinds of drums and percussion instruments with Barbara. Make music and rhythm sampling different instruments yourself.

Want to learn more about using a computer or your device?

Sign up for your 30 minute session with one of our librarians.

Sessions are set up for Wednesdays starting at 1:00 pm.

Call 941-861-1360 to sign up.

Loss of friends and family, work, physical ability or a sense of identity ... these realities signal critical life changes, but can also be catalysts for personal growth.

A fun, exciting, and educational science program. The Mad Scientist will unlock the mystery of sound using ordinary items to make spectacular noises. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

Socrates Café is a gathering where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of Socratic teaching; the idea that we learn.

Drop in and explore your creative side by painting rocks to inspire and encourage others. Supplies provided, first come, first served.

Interact with trained horses and talk to the deputies in the Mounted Patrol Unit with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office to learn about this fascinating branch of law enforcement.

Join us for an adventure, where we'll search for pieces of Pirate Pete's treasure map, leading everyone closer and closer to the lost treasure. This special event includes magic, music, balloon animals, and much more!

In this three-week class, you will create your own tote bag from scratch! Ages 12 and up, participants must attend each session. Registration is required, limit six participants. 

Unfamiliar with your new phone? Here's a hint, if it's not an iPhone, it's an Android. Come learn the basics of setting up and operating smartphones running on Android-based operating systems.

Children are invited to read with certified pet therapy dogs.  This program encourages conversation and develops reading and communication skills. The dogs love the attention and the kids love the interactions.

Monthly Board Meeting -- Open to the Public

The Gulf Gate Teen Advisory Board is committed to creating a teen friendly library by suggesting materials to purchase for the library collection, planning and implementing teen programs, and serving as a voice for all teens in the Gulf Gate area.

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination!  For ages 8 and up; younger children may attend with a caregiver.

Join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month to watch classic Hollywood musicals on the big screen.

Join us to learn about and practice using all the cool things a Google/Gmail account allows you to do. This class is aimed at the Medium to Advanced User. It's also primarily for those with Android devices or Windows 10 computers.

Bring your favorite project and knitting supplies, and enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts. Feel free to bring your favorite tips, patterns, or snacks to share with the group.