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Chef Warren cooking and smiling

Chef Warren: Soup’s On! Ditch the Can and Make Your Own

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Soups and stews are delicious but often time-consuming to make from scratch. Discover how to create healthy and delicious soups and stews quickly with these helpful tips and hints. 

Registration required.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Registration Required
:

Soups and stews are delicious but often time-consuming to make from scratch. Discover how to create healthy and delicious soups and stews quickly with these helpful tips and hints. 

Registration required.

foodscaping

Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Foodscaping for the Suncoast

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Discussion Groups, Lectures
Age Group:
Adults, Seniors
Many people want to grow more of their own food, but do not consider our unique climate when starting a garden.
Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room A
Age Group: Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Discussion Groups, Lectures
:
Many people want to grow more of their own food, but do not consider our unique climate when starting a garden.

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

Thursday, January 8, 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.

calligraphy

Travelogue | Japan III - Ise-Shima, Kyoto

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room AB (Staff only) at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Adults

In the final part of this series, we journey to Ise-Shima, a region of profound spiritual heritage and natural beauty.

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

In the final part of this series, we journey to Ise-Shima, a region of profound spiritual heritage and natural beauty.

Photos of Joy McIntyre and Dr. Joseph Holt

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Mongolian landscape

Travelogue: Mongolia

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Join Jane Mahler as she teaches us about the vibrant country of Mongolia.
Registration Open
Registration Required
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, Lectures
Registration Required
:
Join Jane Mahler as she teaches us about the vibrant country of Mongolia.

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 and History Center, 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, Jan. 20.

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 and History Center, 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, Jan. 20.

One Seed-Herb Trio

UF/IFAS: One Seed-Herb Trio

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Green Living, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Join us for One Seed-Herb Trio and learn how to grow and use this season’s featured crop... herbs, which are beneficial to both people and pollinators!

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Meeting Room II
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Green Living, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Join us for One Seed-Herb Trio and learn how to grow and use this season’s featured crop... herbs, which are beneficial to both people and pollinators!

Photos of Joy McIntyre and Dr. Joseph Holt

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Time Sifters Lecture Series: Year in Review - What's been discovered & What's being talked about

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 5:45pm - 7:15pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Archaeology, History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society: "Year in Review: What's been discovered & What's been talked about", prese

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
:

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society: "Year in Review: What's been discovered & What's been talked about", prese

Perfect Unfolding book cover

Perfect Unfolding: Seven Years of Life-Changing Solo Adventure with Kristy Halvorsen

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Author Event, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

What happens when a firefighter/paramedic sells her dream home and hits the road in an Airstream with no destination in mind?

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Author Event, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

What happens when a firefighter/paramedic sells her dream home and hits the road in an Airstream with no destination in mind?

Georgia O’Keeffe — Visions of an American Pioneer

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Veranda Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages

Enjoy a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about the iconic paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe.

Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Veranda Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages
Program Type: History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Enjoy a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about the iconic paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe.

Sarasota Opera logo

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Sister Cities Association of Sarasota Lecture Series

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Join Sarasota Sister Cities for a series of lectures.

Provided by Sister Cities Association of Sarasota

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
:

Join Sarasota Sister Cities for a series of lectures.

Provided by Sister Cities Association of Sarasota

Photo of Ilana Zaks holding a violin

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Chef Warren cooking and smiling

Chef Warren: Cajun and Creole Cuisine – Rustic, Rich, and Lots of Roux!

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Learn the secrets of ‘three pot cooking’ to create entrees that feature a melting pot worth of flavors from simple and affordable ingredients. 

Registration required.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Community Room
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures
Registration Required
:

Learn the secrets of ‘three pot cooking’ to create entrees that feature a melting pot worth of flavors from simple and affordable ingredients. 

Registration required.

india

Travelogue | India I Delhi-Punjab-Rajaji

Friday, February 6, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Room AB (Staff only) at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Discussion Groups, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Adults, Seniors

India is often called a land of paradoxes—“Whatever you can rightly say about India, the opposite is also true.” It’s a sensory tapestry: vibrant, chaotic, and deeply moving.

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

India is often called a land of paradoxes—“Whatever you can rightly say about India, the opposite is also true.” It’s a sensory tapestry: vibrant, chaotic, and deeply moving.

Photo of Joy McIntyre

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Secrets of the Underground Railroad

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

The Secrets of the Underground Railroad…revealed!

The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses that led enslaved people in the south escape to freedom in the north.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

The Secrets of the Underground Railroad…revealed!

The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses that led enslaved people in the south escape to freedom in the north.

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

Thursday, February 12, 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.

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 and History Center, 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, Feb. 17.

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 and History Center, 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, Feb. 17.

Ringside Bells logo

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Age Group:
Adults

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Cultural Life, History & Culture, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances
Registration Required
:

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Forging a Friendship — Jefferson & Madison’s Northern Journey

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Veranda Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages

Enjoy a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about Jefferson and Madison’s 1791 journey and enduring friendship.

Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Veranda Room
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, All Ages
Program Type: History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
:

Enjoy a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about Jefferson and Madison’s 1791 journey and enduring friendship.

happy scale

The Happy 8 to Your Just-Right Weight

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Classroom A/B (Staff only)) at Osprey Library and History Center
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Healthy Living, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Presented by a cancer survivor, this presentation encompasses not just food and how to release cravings for sweets, but the latest findings in a healthy lifestyle concerning sleep, intermittent fasting, strength training, etc.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Osprey Library and History Center
Room: Classroom A/B (Staff only))
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Healthy Living, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Presented by a cancer survivor, this presentation encompasses not just food and how to release cravings for sweets, but the latest findings in a healthy lifestyle concerning sleep, intermittent fasting, strength training, etc.