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Remake Learning: Bridges Across the Sea presented by Sister Cities

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Remake Learning Days
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages

Join us for an interactive learning event to showcase Sarasota's sister cities around the world! Presented by the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota.

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Remake Learning Days
:

Join us for an interactive learning event to showcase Sarasota's sister cities around the world! Presented by the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota.

piano and sheet music

Spring Classical Concert: Southbound

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Lise Frank - "SOUTHBOUND" – From the Andes to the Amazon. Hop on the piano-train and take a trip to South America with Lise Frank and Jessé Martins.

No registration required, but limited seating available.

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries
:

Lise Frank - "SOUTHBOUND" – From the Andes to the Amazon. Hop on the piano-train and take a trip to South America with Lise Frank and Jessé Martins.

No registration required, but limited seating available.

Black and white negative depicts an exterior view of a Ralph Twitchell-designed house on the beach; undated

When Modernism Met the Gulf Coast

Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Classroom A/B at Osprey Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

When Modernism Met the Gulf Coast

Presented by:

  • Nicholas Dietz, Historic Preservation Specialist, Sarasota County History Center

Program begins promptly at 2PM

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library
Room: Classroom A/B
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

When Modernism Met the Gulf Coast

Presented by:

  • Nicholas Dietz, Historic Preservation Specialist, Sarasota County History Center

Program begins promptly at 2PM

Venice Opera: An Afternoon of Arias & Art Song

Monday, May 4, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Join us for a concert that explores the emotional range of opera, art song, and musical theater—from the elegance of Mozart and Debussy to the drama of Puccini and the lyricism of Broadway classics.
 
Serenna Jones is a
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries, Performances
:
Join us for a concert that explores the emotional range of opera, art song, and musical theater—from the elegance of Mozart and Debussy to the drama of Puccini and the lyricism of Broadway classics.
 
Serenna Jones is a
Roger Smith

Florida Reflections: The 14th Colony The American Revolution's Best Kept Secret

Monday, May 4, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
America's 250th Celebration, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Special Events
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

The 14th Colony: The American Revolution’s Best Kept Secret

Historian and author Roger Smith leads a discussion on the most under-told story in our nation’s history.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room AB
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: America's 250th Celebration, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Special Events
:

The 14th Colony: The American Revolution’s Best Kept Secret

Historian and author Roger Smith leads a discussion on the most under-told story in our nation’s history.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Baked into History: Stories Grown in Sarasota

Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Story Time Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Summer Learning
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Teens and tweens, come join us to bake cookies and learn about Sarasota's agricultural history at this special program presented by the Sarasota County History Center!

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)
Program Type: Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Summer Learning
Registration Required
:

Teens and tweens, come join us to bake cookies and learn about Sarasota's agricultural history at this special program presented by the Sarasota County History Center!

The Liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
Adults, All Ages

Discussion of the liberation of the Dachau Concentration camp, the oldest Nazi Concentration Camp, liberated in April of 1945. Speaker is author and editor Liz Coursen, who has done extensive research on this event. Come join us!

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults, All Ages
Program Type: History & Culture, Lectures
:

Discussion of the liberation of the Dachau Concentration camp, the oldest Nazi Concentration Camp, liberated in April of 1945. Speaker is author and editor Liz Coursen, who has done extensive research on this event. Come join us!

dada

Travelogue - Damaltian Coast

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Adults, Seniors

Join Jane Mahler for an unforgettable journey through Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina—the captivating countries once united as Yugoslavia.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room AB
Age Group: Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Join Jane Mahler for an unforgettable journey through Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina—the captivating countries once united as Yugoslavia.

The tomb of Isa Khan.

India Travelogue: Delhi, Punjab and Rajaji National Park

Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Special Events
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Join us for this travelogue highlighting Punjab, home of the Golden Temple, Rajaji National Park and tiger reserve, and Old Delhi, which is known for its bustling bazaars, 16th and 17th century Mughal tombs, an astronomical observatory from the 70

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Special Events
Registration Required
:

Join us for this travelogue highlighting Punjab, home of the Golden Temple, Rajaji National Park and tiger reserve, and Old Delhi, which is known for its bustling bazaars, 16th and 17th century Mughal tombs, an astronomical observatory from the 70

Venice Heritage History@ the Library

Friday, May 8, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lectures, ,
Age Group:
Adults

Come join us for an educational program on local history presented by Venice Heritage. 

Searching for Angola: African American History

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: History & Culture, Lectures, ,
:

Come join us for an educational program on local history presented by Venice Heritage. 

Searching for Angola: African American History

booker

Lecture: "Up from Slavery to Tea with the Queen: The Amazing Life of Booker T. Washington"

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Room A at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Booker T. Washington was the most prominent African American educator and orator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Booker T. Washington was the most prominent African American educator and orator of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

piano duo sitting in front of a piano

Kaleidoscope of Expressions: Four Hands Piano Concert

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Concert pianists Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, creators of Duo Beaux Arts, have collectively performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, Kadriorg Palace in Estonia, Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and more.
Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:
Concert pianists Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, creators of Duo Beaux Arts, have collectively performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, Kadriorg Palace in Estonia, Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and more.
Jazz Jam SRQ Logo

Jazz Fundamentals & Beyond workshop series

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Join the Jazz Club of Sarasota for a monthly jazz jam session that provides an introduction to jazz jamming. Perfect for beginners!

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Music in the Libraries, Performances
:

Join the Jazz Club of Sarasota for a monthly jazz jam session that provides an introduction to jazz jamming. Perfect for beginners!

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Black and white photo depicts depicts an exterior view of the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium

Sarasota in the 1930s: Sun, Sand, and the Sunset of the Mediterranean Revival Style

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Classroom A/B at Osprey Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, Green Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Sarasota in the 1930s: Sun, Sand, and the Sunset of the Mediterranean Revival Style

Presented by:

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library
Room: Classroom A/B
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, Green Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Sarasota in the 1930s: Sun, Sand, and the Sunset of the Mediterranean Revival Style

Presented by:

IANDS: International Association for Near-Death Experiences - The Latest Research (monthly meeting)

Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Author Event, Book Discussions, Clubs, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Special Events
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

As an educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) focuses most of its resources into providing the highest quality information available about NDE-related subjects.

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Author Event, Book Discussions, Clubs, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning, Special Events
:

As an educational nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) focuses most of its resources into providing the highest quality information available about NDE-related subjects.

Rita Youngman

Florida Reflections: Music, Memory and Seminole Life in Florida

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Music, Memory, and Seminole Life in Florida

Through song and storytelling, Seminole singer-songwriter Rita Youngman shares music rooted in Seminole history, place, and lived experience.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room AB
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning
:

Music, Memory, and Seminole Life in Florida

Through song and storytelling, Seminole singer-songwriter Rita Youngman shares music rooted in Seminole history, place, and lived experience.

Time Sifters Archaeological Lecture Series

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 5:45pm - 7:15pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Archaeology, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society:

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages
Program Type: Archaeology, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society:

Libraries and History Center Closure

All Day
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, Elsie Quirk Library, Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, Fruitville Library, Gulf Gate Library, North Port Library, Osprey Library, Selby Library, Shannon Staub Library, William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library, Pop-Up Library

Libraries and History Center ClosureWe will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 26.

Closing
Branches:
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, Elsie Quirk Library, Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, Fruitville Library, Gulf Gate Library, North Port Library, Osprey Library, Selby Library, Shannon Staub Library, William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library, Pop-Up Library
Description:

Libraries and History Center Closure

We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 26.

SWFL real estate map

The Mackle Family and the Development of South Florida

Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

When looking at the development of South Florida after World War II, one name consistently appears: Mackle.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

When looking at the development of South Florida after World War II, one name consistently appears: Mackle.

Black and white photo depicts the street view of the Leonard Reid House

Building Newtown: Architecture and Community in Sarasota’s Historic Black Neighborhood

Friday, May 29, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Classroom A/B at Osprey Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Building Newtown: Architecture and Community in Sarasota’s Historic Black Neighborhood

Presented by:

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library
Room: Classroom A/B
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Building Newtown: Architecture and Community in Sarasota’s Historic Black Neighborhood

Presented by:

sakura flowers

Anime/Manga Club

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
Clubs, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Movies, Summer Learning
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)
Summer Learning:

This event is one of this year's Summer Learning programs. Check out all of the fun programs at all of our library locations. There's something for everyone!

Do you want to share your anime/manga obsession with other Otaku? Come to the club! We will enjoy talking about Japanese culture, eating Japanese snacks, and of course, watching anime!

Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Teen Room
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)
Program Type: Clubs, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Movies, Summer Learning
:

Summer Learning

This event is one of this year's Summer Learning programs. Check out all of the fun programs at all of our library locations. There's something for everyone!

Do you want to share your anime/manga obsession with other Otaku? Come to the club! We will enjoy talking about Japanese culture, eating Japanese snacks, and of course, watching anime!

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Black and white photo of forty people standing in front of Methodist-Episcopal Church, Knights Chapel, Nokomis, built 1903.

The Knight Family Legacy in Sarasota County

Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Classroom A/B at Osprey Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, Genealogy, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

The Knight Family Legacy in Sarasota County

Presented by:

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library
Room: Classroom A/B
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, Genealogy, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

The Knight Family Legacy in Sarasota County

Presented by:

Chucko the All-American Clown

Chucko the All-American Clown

Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Career Journeys, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Performances, Summer Learning, Special Events
Age Group:
Youth, Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Meet Chuck Sidlow and watch, follow, and participate in his magical and musical LIVE TRANSFORMATION into CHUCKO THE ALL-AMERICAN CLOWN!

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages
Program Type: Career Journeys, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lifelong Learning, Performances, Summer Learning, Special Events
:

Meet Chuck Sidlow and watch, follow, and participate in his magical and musical LIVE TRANSFORMATION into CHUCKO THE ALL-AMERICAN CLOWN!

Steve Seibert

Florida Reflections: What is it About This Man? The Enduring Relevance of Abraham Lincoln

Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
America's 250th Celebration, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

What Is It About This Man? The Enduring Relevance of Abraham Lincoln

Lawyer, elected official, and humanities scholar Steve Seibert discusses the enduring relevance of Abraham Lincoln.

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: America's 250th Celebration, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

What Is It About This Man? The Enduring Relevance of Abraham Lincoln

Lawyer, elected official, and humanities scholar Steve Seibert discusses the enduring relevance of Abraham Lincoln.