Week Calendar

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

Free unbiased counseling for Medicare from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.  Then from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Free unbiased counseling for Medicare from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.  Then from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Ages 0-5. Enjoy special uninterrupted play time with your child. Experience new educational activities, learn new songs and finger plays, connect with other families, and get valuable parenting and child development information.

This program will be held at the Venice Community Center located at 326 Nokomis Ave S, Venice, FL 34285.

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play. designed specifically for children up to age 5 and their parent/caregiver, this class is a chance to be a partner in your child's play.

For ages 0-5 with caregiver. Join us for a fun, interactive program of stories, songs, movement and crafts.

Luis can help alleviate your technology frustrations! Our resident expert specializes in Android and Windows systems. Stop in for assistance, or call 941-861-1744 to make an appointment.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees? Need a plant or insect identified? Homeowners can receive research-based lawn, landscape and pest management help from the University of Florida.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees? Need a plant or insect identified?

Sign Language program for children 0 - 2 1/2 years old. Learn with Beebo the Signing Bear using songs, books, and toys. Older siblings welcome.

This program is geared toward babies from newborn to age 2 ½ years. The 45 minute program includes songs, baby sign language, a book and playtime. Older siblings are welcome.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more!

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play.

Books, puppets, songs, dance, yoga, and more surprises! Geared for ages 3-5, but all are welcome to join the fun. Enjoy special guest Adrianne Pezzella Apr. 24 for Fun To Be Fit Kids!

Come learn a few tricks for faster and more effective searching using Google search.

Please register below or by calling 941-861-1230.

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.

For ages two to five: Create a spring-themed craft.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

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.

If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it's time to learn the facts. This interactive workshop features video clips and plenty of time for questions. 

Join us for a Multi Media Presentation as lecturer, Phyllis Lowitt M.M.discusses La Cenerentola(Cinderella) by Rossini to contrast Massenet's Cendrillon as a prelude to the April 28th Metropolitan Opera Massenet simulcast.

After completing Computer Basics, Parts 1 and 2, the student is ready to learn File Management. The basics of file creating and organizing will be demonstrated.

Early literacy begins at birth. Bond with your baby through stories, songs, parachute time and peek-a-boo scarf songs. For ages 0-2 years old.

This class builds on the iPads for Beginners Part 1 class. Topics will include, using email, saving and sharing, organizing apps, & also how to download Sarasota Library eBooks (Sarasota Library card and pin # is required).

 Ask Bob, our local Windows expert, any questions about your PC or Laptop.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

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.

For infants to five years, attending with caregiver. The storytime includes simple stories, nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and crafts. Space is limited to 80 people. Free tickets are available at the youth desk beginning at 10 a.m.

 Featuring great stories, singing, dancing, and movement activities young children learn valuable skills and enjoy being with other children. For ages 2-3.

Fun To Be Fit Kids is a music and movement program for children and their caregivers to attend together. Spend quality time singing, dancing, exercising, and having fun! For ages 0-5.

Topics to be discussed: * Claiming rules for married couples, divorced individuals and minor children * Strategies and time limits that could potentially increase your benefits * How cost-of-living adjustments affect your Social Security * How to

ESOL Conversation Group for intermediate to higher level ESL learners.

Students MUST first be registered with the Literacy Council

Contact:  Sue Bergstrom 941-955-0421

Prescription Medication & Health Care Assistance for those that are uninsured and qualify financially.

Ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness activities.

Are you the caregiver of someone with dementia, Alzheimers, or another type of memory impairment? Join the conversation and find support with others who are going through the same experience with representatives from Friendship Centers.

Basic Introduction to Heritage Quest database one of Sarasota County Libraries free databases.  Heritage Quest Online provides genealogical and historical sources for more than 60 countries, with coverage dating back as early as the 1700

For children 18 months to 4 years old and their caregivers. Interact with your child in a variety of early literacy activities including music, movement, stories, crafts and games.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Preschoolers, ages 2 ½ - 5 and their parent, guardian or caregiver are invited to join us for stories, songs, finger plays, rhymes, and crafts. There is a different theme every week.

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.

Create a special Tree craft to celebrate Arbor Day (April 27).

Storytelling and learning activities to inspire the green thumb in everyone!

The Plant Clinic meets in the library lobby.

Girls age 9-12 will enjoy this event as we create edible DNA, pasta towers, math inspired art and mazes for our Ozobots!

Practice speaking English in a group setting. Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Sarasota. Please call 941-955-0421 to register as an ESOL learner with the Literacy Council of Sarasota.

Weekly Service Club for 12 and 13 year old children who want to help with projects and learn library skills.

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play. designed specifically for children up to age 5 and their parent/caregiver, this class is a chance to be a partner in your child's play.

Drop in for assistance using library technology including e-Books and audiobooks from Overdrive and the Cloud Library.

Infant Feeding Support Group Community group open to WIC moms and the public to receive support and information about infant feeding including breast feeding. No registration required.

Join Forty Carrots for a time of sharing and meaningful play.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

 Join us for a fun-filled morning of reading, songs, dancing, learning Kindergarten readiness skills and craft activities. For ages 3-6.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

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.

In this video lecture course, Professor Robert Greenberg explores the height of Mozart's operatic achievement by analyzing two masterpieces: Cosě fan tutte, and The Magic Flute.

SHINE counselors provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers and those soon to be eligible.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

Explore the latest trend of painting and hiding small rocks as a way to brighten the day of a stranger. Join us at the library to make some rock creations of your own. Rocks, paint, and brushes will be provided while supplies last.

Celebrate your favorite fandoms like Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Harry Potter with free food, crafts, and special character challenges!

Teen programs are recommended for grades 6-12.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how Forty Carrots Family Center can help you enjoy parenting even more.

The Chess Club meets every Tuesday from 12-4 in the computer lab. No registration required. 

Looking to mix up your lunch hour?

Bring your lunch and join us for short stories, poetry and more! 

Every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 12:10 - 12:50 p.m.

Learn how to use LEGO WeDo 2.0 and program your own robotic creation! 

Ask an E-Help volunteer for all your technology-related questions and predicaments. Held every Tuesday in the public meeting area.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees? Need a plant or insect identified?

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.

On the last Wednesday afternoon of the month, watch a movie that is hosted by film professor Maryann Dahlen, who will invite the audience to discuss the movie after its showing.

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.

A Sarasota Chiropractor teaches ways avoid the number one cause of injury to the elderly - hip fractures. 

This event occurs only on April 19, May 17, and June 21 at 1 p.m. for one hour.

Topics to be discussed: * Running the retirement marathon * Long-term care considerations * How not to outlive your money * How taxes and inflation impact retirement * Stretch IRAs * RMDs * Exit Strategies Presented by the Foundation for Financial

Sarasota County Extension Services Master Gardeners are here to help folks identify plants, flowers, etc. as well as care for them.  Get expert advice on your landscaping needs.

Learn about genealogy research through Ancestry, Heritage Quest, and other databases. Students need names, dates, and locations of people to be researched on the databases. Bring your own thumb drive for articles to be printed.

Jack, The Computer Guy, will explain how your computer works and why it doesn't.

Come have fun with professional storyteller Tamara Green as she shares with you some of her favorites tales of children and animals from Africa. Create something unique in the craft session following the stories.

Use old book pages, magazine, and newspaper clippings to create cut up poems and altered text poetry, art forms with their roots in Dadaism, Surrealism and Modernism.

Join us for LEGO fun including building challenges, games, crafts, snacks and more. For children of all ages and their families.

"Movement Matters: Mellow Moves for Active Older Adults" with Health and Fitness professional Terry Stocker. A kinder, gentler, lighthearted fitness class designed for active older adults. Mellow moves to music get hearts thumping.

Learn which of these two estate planning tools is right for you.  Please join Fletcher Rush Esq. of the Farr Law Firm as he explains the differences between wills and trusts.

Bring your Windows laptop and learn hands-on how to navigate to Internet addresses, what the left and right mouse click/touch pad does, how to save to a memory stick/”flash drive”, how to make and save a document, how to organize files and photos

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

New movies every Tuesday in the meeting room. Movie schedules are published bimonthly and available at the front circulation desk. 

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

We'll cover the basics of searching the library's catalog to find books and other materials, as well as tips and tricks to improve your searches. 

For people who want to improve their Spanish speaking skills. Come practice your pronunciation and oral understanding through conversation and instruction of this romantic language. Everyone is welcome.

Join Baila Miller as she discusses "Fiddler on the Roof" and its orchestral influences in the development of modern culture. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

Are you a movie buff? Interested in watching critically acclaimed films and learning a little bit about the movie industry as well?

Drop in to get assistance with and ask questions about downloading library books to your computer and other devices, such as the Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPod, iPhone and Android phones and tablets.

Join us for a fun and informal craft class.

Are you curious about estate planning? Then join us on April 27th at 2:00 pm for a free presentation on how to manage your estate.

All ages. Coloring pages, markers, color pencils, and crayons will be provided.

Beginners and advanced players welcome.

Drop in and play a variety of board games including Harry Potter Clue, Ticket to Ride, Munchkin and more!

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 interaction.

Looking for something a little more advanced than basic Spanish lessons? Every Monday from 3:30-5:00 join an open group of intermediate Spanish speakers for a small discussion-oriented lecture.

Chill with friends and watch a movie.

Afterschool program for grades 6-12. Choose from our collection of Wii games, or bring your own.  Snacks provided by All Faiths Food Bank.

Join us for an afternoon of strategy and fun! Families and children ages 7+ are welcome!

Are you in Grades 6-8 and need service hours for school? Club members should plan to attend at least one program per month. A club agreement can be picked up at your first meeting.

Join us as a representative from The Foundation of Financial Education leads a class to help you better understand how to plan for retirement. 

Ages: tweens/teens. Celebrate poetry month by creating your own poem in a pocket.

Bleach Art. Using household Soft Scrub bleach and stencils, participants will create a t-shirt using a color extraction method. Be sure to bring a 100% cotton t-shirt. All other materials will be provided.

Una clase gratis para aprender como usar programas de webmail por la computadora. Esta clase se presentara totalmente en espanol.

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.

Come use our software and sewing machines on your own personal projects.

A different project every week!

Call or visit to find out what it is this week!

Ages 6+.

Hola! Join us for an evening of learning intermediate Spanish grammar and vocabulary and practicing conversational skills.

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.

Chill with friends and watch a movie.

Join us after school and follow a guided activity to make a slimy creation or use our art supplies to work on your own project.

Open to ages 7 and up.

Luis can help alleviate your technology frustrations! Our resident expert specializes in Android and Windows systems. Stop in for assistance, or call 941-861-1744 to make an appointment.

Join us for a discussion about making the library a better place for teens! We will discuss programming, volunteering opportunities, and more.

Exercise your imagination and demonstrate your creativity with our LEGO collection. Families welcome. 

Come and enjoy free movies on our big screen. Contact the library for movie titles.

Make new friends while playing trading card games, video games, board games or just hanging out. FREE refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library.

This class is for Spanish speakers, who want to improve their English skills in speaking, and understanding English, with emphasis on correct pronunciation. Students must be able to speak some basic English. Class meets once a week.

Enjoy some award winning international films with English subtitles. This month in honor of National Poetry Month: Il Postino (The Postman).(Italy, 1996,108m, Miramax).

Exercise your imagination and demonstrate your creativity with our LEGO collection. Families welcome. 

Join us for this five week series to learn how to cook simple and delicious meals with your family! 
Every class you will prep and eat the meals.

Join fellow teens for the North Port Library's Teen Drama Club. No, it's not about all the drama that happened in English class, it's your chance to discuss everything from directing and acting to set design, makeup and costuming.

Practice speaking English! Please call 941-955-0421 to register as an ESOL learner with the Literacy Council of Sarasota.

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

Girls in grades 6-12 are invited to explore code in a fun and friendly way! Learn the core 4 computer science concepts every programmer needs to know, and complete a Community Service Impact Project.

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

Discuss the book and watch the film with other teens. For ages 11-18. Contact the library for titles.

Make new friends while hanging out on the fourth Wednesday of every month. FREE refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library. There is no advance registration required. Just show up and have fun.