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World War II Book Talk

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

Join us for a presentation with author, Dale A. Jenkins!

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, History & Culture, Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Join us for a presentation with author, Dale A. Jenkins!

snow globe mason jar topper

Arts & Crafts: Snow Globe Mason Jar Topper

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Capture a timeless Christmas moment and share it with a friend!  All materials provided.  Adults only.  No registration required.  These programs are popular.  Seating is limited.  First come, first seated.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning
:

Capture a timeless Christmas moment and share it with a friend!  All materials provided.  Adults only.  No registration required.  These programs are popular.  Seating is limited.  First come, first seated.

A clay pot painted as a gingerbread house

EQ Craft Crew: Gingerbread House Ornaments

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 3:45pm - 4:30pm
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)

Join us the 3rd Tuesday of every month for a new art project!

In this hands-on art program, our young artists will turn clay pots into gingerbread house ornaments!

Sponsored by the the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning
:

Join us the 3rd Tuesday of every month for a new art project!

In this hands-on art program, our young artists will turn clay pots into gingerbread house ornaments!

Sponsored by the the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

Lego Pile

LEGO Club

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Storytime Room at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Clubs, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
LEGO Club:

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Clubs, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning

LEGO Club

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Busy Little Hands Activity Hour

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Story Time Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Games, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their families can enjoy loosely structured play with a variety of rotating toys and activities in our Story Time Room.

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Story Time Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Games, Lifelong Learning
:

Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their families can enjoy loosely structured play with a variety of rotating toys and activities in our Story Time Room.

Drop-In Jewelry Making for Adults

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Adults, Seniors

Get your bling on! 

 Looking to try a new craft/art form? Join us for our monthly Creation Station drop-in DIY jewelry making sessions!

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
:

Get your bling on! 

 Looking to try a new craft/art form? Join us for our monthly Creation Station drop-in DIY jewelry making sessions!

Arts & Crafts: Snow Globe Mason Jar Topper

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Learning Lab at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Active Older Adult Living, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Capture a timeless Christmas moment and share it with a friend!  All materials provided.  Adults only.  No registration required.  These programs are popular.  Seating is limited.  First come, first seated.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Learning Lab
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning
:

Capture a timeless Christmas moment and share it with a friend!  All materials provided.  Adults only.  No registration required.  These programs are popular.  Seating is limited.  First come, first seated.

Read with the Dogs

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)

Children are invited for a special opportunity to share a story with a furry friend! Take advantage of this no-pressure, judgment-free zone to practice reading with a certified therapy dog.  Space is limited. First come, first seated.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room B
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Lifelong Learning
:

Children are invited for a special opportunity to share a story with a furry friend! Take advantage of this no-pressure, judgment-free zone to practice reading with a certified therapy dog.  Space is limited. First come, first seated.

Musical Motion

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Musical Motion is a FREE bilingual learn & play class that encourages bonding while developing early learning and literacy skills in children.

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Meeting Room II
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Musical Motion is a FREE bilingual learn & play class that encourages bonding while developing early learning and literacy skills in children.

Balls of yarn of different colors in a basket.

Quirky Knitters

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors

Bring your projects, patterns, and questions to Elsie Quirk Library and join the Quirky Knitters for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.  All skill levels welcome.  Registration is not required, so come on in to knit and chat!

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Clubs, Lifelong Learning
:

Bring your projects, patterns, and questions to Elsie Quirk Library and join the Quirky Knitters for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.  All skill levels welcome.  Registration is not required, so come on in to knit and chat!

Tween Reads

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Book Discussions, Clubs, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Tweens (9 to 12 years)

Enjoy this monthly book club where you get to enjoy snacks and a fun activity while sharing a book with your friends. This month we’re reading Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room B
Age Group: Youth, Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Book Discussions, Clubs, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Enjoy this monthly book club where you get to enjoy snacks and a fun activity while sharing a book with your friends. This month we’re reading Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Meeting

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Teen Zone at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Clubs, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning, Volunteer Orientations & Programs
Age Group:
Teens (13 to 18 years)

Join other teens at our monthly Teen Advisory Board Meeting. The Board will discuss topics related to teen library services, teen programs and the teen collections. Attendees will receive community service credit for their time at the meeting.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Teen Zone
Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years)
Program Type: Clubs, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning, Volunteer Orientations & Programs
:

Join other teens at our monthly Teen Advisory Board Meeting. The Board will discuss topics related to teen library services, teen programs and the teen collections. Attendees will receive community service credit for their time at the meeting.

Fountain pen lays on top of cursive journal entry.

Curious about Cursive

Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Creation Station at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
All Ages

Ever wanted to learn how to write in cursive? Ever wanted to improve your cursive handwriting? This is a ten week course to learn and or practice the art of cursive handwriting.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Creation Station
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning
Registration Required
:

Ever wanted to learn how to write in cursive? Ever wanted to improve your cursive handwriting? This is a ten week course to learn and or practice the art of cursive handwriting.

Homeschoolers at the Library

Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Games, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), 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), Families

A time for homeschool children and their families to socialize, participate in arts and crafts, STEM activities and more!

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), 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), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Games, Lifelong Learning
:

A time for homeschool children and their families to socialize, participate in arts and crafts, STEM activities and more!

Disclaimer(s)

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

Teen Craft Zone: Book Page Ornaments

Monday, December 22, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Teen Zone at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Transform old book pages into winter ornaments or paint a holiday ornament of your own!

For ages 10-18.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Teen Zone
Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
:

Transform old book pages into winter ornaments or paint a holiday ornament of your own!

For ages 10-18.

Cover of The World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Cookbook Club | The World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Monday, December 22, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learning Lab at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Book Discussions, Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Discuss new recipes, share pictures of your own creations, and connect with fellow food (and cookbook) lovers.

December Theme: Giving Back

December Cookbook: The World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Learning Lab
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Book Discussions, Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning
:

Discuss new recipes, share pictures of your own creations, and connect with fellow food (and cookbook) lovers.

December Theme: Giving Back

December Cookbook: The World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Toddler Reading

Stories and a Craft

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room B at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes, fun activities, and a craft. Best for ages 0-5, but the whole family is welcome!

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room B
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Join us for stories, songs and rhymes, fun activities, and a craft. Best for ages 0-5, but the whole family is welcome!

Libraries and History Center Closure

All Day 12/24 - 12/26
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 ClosureWednesday, Dec. 24 - Friday, Dec. 26We will resume normal hours on Saturday, Dec. 27.

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

Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Friday, Dec. 26

We will resume normal hours on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Toddler Reading

Family Storytime

Monday, December 29, 2025 at 10:15am - 10:45am
Kid's Zone at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Join us for stories, songs, crafts, and more! 

Recommended ages 3-5 and their families. 

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Room: Kid's Zone
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Join us for stories, songs, crafts, and more! 

Recommended ages 3-5 and their families. 

Cover of "The World Central Kitchen Cookbook"

Cookbook Club | The World Central Kitchen Cookbook

Monday, December 29, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learning Lab at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Book Discussions, Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Discuss new recipes, share pictures of your own creations, and connect with fellow food (and cookbook) lovers.

December Theme: Giving Back

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Learning Lab
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Book Discussions, Cooking & Nutrition, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning
:

Discuss new recipes, share pictures of your own creations, and connect with fellow food (and cookbook) lovers.

December Theme: Giving Back

sandhill crane family

Wild Sarasota: Sandhill Cranes

Monday, December 29, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Lectures, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Join UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County for an inside perspective of one of the more ancient species of birds, the Sandhill Crane!

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

Join UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County for an inside perspective of one of the more ancient species of birds, the Sandhill Crane!

Magic Show feat. Dick Stevens

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room AB (Staff only) at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

tbd

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room AB (Staff only)
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Lifelong Learning
:

tbd

Cover of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley

Monthly Book Club | Frankenstein

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Learning Lab at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Book Discussions, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Join us to discuss:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Learning Lab
Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Book Discussions, Lifelong Learning
:

Join us to discuss:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Lego Pile

LEGO Club

Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meeting Room B at Gulf Gate Library
Program Type:
Clubs, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning
Age Group:
Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
LEGO Club:

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library
Room: Meeting Room B
Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Clubs, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning

LEGO Club

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination.