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Children in colorful clothes seated on the floor and raising their hands.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play®

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Little Book Worm

Preschool Storytime

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Join us for songs, rhymes, play, and of course great stories! Engage kids in visual literacy, language development, and social skills in a fun class presented by our Youth Services team.

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Join us for songs, rhymes, play, and of course great stories! Engage kids in visual literacy, language development, and social skills in a fun class presented by our Youth Services team.

Toddler Reading

Storytime

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:15am
Meeting Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Join us for storytime! Stories, rhymes, songs, and simple crafts for little ones and their special grownup. 


 

Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Join us for storytime! Stories, rhymes, songs, and simple crafts for little ones and their special grownup. 


 

Children in colorful clothes seated on the floor and raising their hands.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play®

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Families
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child in our drop-in FREE Partners In Play® (PIP) parenting education groups.

Dog wearing glasses reading a book

Read with the Dogs

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Read with the Dogs:

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 th...

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)
Program Type: Storytimes

Read with the Dogs

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.

Storytime - Infant

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Storytimes,
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

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

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

2 animated children playing with toys

Let's Pretend Day

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Children ages 2-8 and their caregivers are invited for Wednesday morning free-play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination! Drop-in anytime between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Children ages 2-8 and their caregivers are invited for Wednesday morning free-play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination! Drop-in anytime between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Toddler Reading

Storytime

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:15am - 11:45am
Veranda Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Join us at the North Port Library for storytime!  Songs, crafts and stories guaranteed! 

Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Veranda Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Join us at the North Port Library for storytime!  Songs, crafts and stories guaranteed! 

Storytime - Infant

Baby Storytime

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Early literacy begins in infanthood - join Miss Taylor for a storytime specifically dedicated to babies ages 0-24 months.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Registration Required
:

Early literacy begins in infanthood - join Miss Taylor for a storytime specifically dedicated to babies ages 0-24 months.

Preschool Jamboree

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Jump and wiggle, twist and shout,
Stories come alive, that's what we're all about. 

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Jump and wiggle, twist and shout,
Stories come alive, that's what we're all about. 

Musical Motion

Thursday, January 15, 2026 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.

Diverse group of young children listening to a story.

Story Time

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Games, Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

For ages 2-5. Join us for story time filled with a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness. 

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Games, Storytimes
:

For ages 2-5. Join us for story time filled with a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness. 

Storytime - Infant

Learn and Play Storytime

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Program Room at Selby Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Join your friends for stories, rhymes, sign language, and other activities. 

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Youth Program Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

Join your friends for stories, rhymes, sign language, and other activities. 

Disclaimer(s)

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

Princesses

Princess Storytime

Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Plant a Seed, Read (Summer 2026), Performances, Special Events, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Families

Princess Power!

Join us for a special, magical storytime hosted by a fairy-tale princess!

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), Families
Program Type: Plant a Seed, Read (Summer 2026), Performances, Special Events, Storytimes
:

Princess Power!

Join us for a special, magical storytime hosted by a fairy-tale princess!

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.

Storytime - Infant

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:15am
Meeting Room II at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
Program Type:
Storytimes,
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

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

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

Toddler Reading

Words and Wiggles Storytime

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Program Room at Selby Library
Program Type:
Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

This preschool-aged story time is led by a library staff member. Enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun activities!

Library Branch: Selby Library
Room: Youth Program Room
Age Group: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
:

This preschool-aged story time is led by a library staff member. Enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun activities!

Disclaimer(s)

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

Dog with a book

Read with the Dogs

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Youth Activity Room at Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Program Type:
Special Events, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families

Calling all families with readers! Our dog friends from the Suncoast Humane Society are returning to the Jacaranda Library, and they want you to read to them!

Library Branch: Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
Room: Youth Activity Room
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Families
Program Type: Special Events, Storytimes
:

Calling all families with readers! Our dog friends from the Suncoast Humane Society are returning to the Jacaranda Library, and they want you to read to them!

Toddler Reading

Arts & Crafts Storytime

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:15am - 11:00am
Storytime Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Age Group:
Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years)

Join Miss Taylor for Arts & Crafts Storytime! Featuring a special craft each month this storytime fosters creativity, engages learnings, and creates special bonds between children and their caretakers.

Registration Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library
Room: Storytime Room
Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years)
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes
Registration Required
:

Join Miss Taylor for Arts & Crafts Storytime! Featuring a special craft each month this storytime fosters creativity, engages learnings, and creates special bonds between children and their caretakers.

2 animated children playing with toys

Let's Pretend Day

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Children ages 2-8 and their caregivers are invited for Wednesday morning free-play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination! Drop-in anytime between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Children ages 2-8 and their caregivers are invited for Wednesday morning free-play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination! Drop-in anytime between 10:30am and 11:30am.

Toddler Reading

Storytime

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:15am - 11:45am
Veranda Room at North Port Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Join us at the North Port Library for storytime!  Songs, crafts and stories guaranteed! 

Library Branch: North Port Library
Room: Veranda Room
Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Join us at the North Port Library for storytime!  Songs, crafts and stories guaranteed! 

Preschool Jamboree

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Meeting Room at Shannon Staub Library
Program Type:
Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Jump and wiggle, twist and shout,
Stories come alive, that's what we're all about. 

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library
Room: Meeting Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Storytimes
:

Jump and wiggle, twist and shout,
Stories come alive, that's what we're all about. 

Musical Motion

Thursday, January 22, 2026 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.

Diverse group of young children listening to a story.

Story Time

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am
Program Room at Elsie Quirk Library
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts, Games, Storytimes
Age Group:
Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

For ages 2-5. Join us for story time filled with a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness. 

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library
Room: Program Room
Age Group: Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Games, Storytimes
:

For ages 2-5. Join us for story time filled with a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness.