Week Calendar

Earn up to 30 hours of community service by participating in this 2-week summer program to become a better citizen and volunteer in your community. Learn about survival skills, home care basics, marketing your abilities, and more!

Join other tweens this summer for Xbox and WiiU gaming. Play starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served and the program is restricted to youth ages 9-12 years old.

Free service to apply to the Affordable Care Act.  Application takes between one and one-half hour.  Only one person can be seen at a time.

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.

This computer-based genealogy course covers the following topics: why study genealogy; how to get started; what sources are available; and how to organize and present your research.

Children will learn about Australian music, instruments and culture through presentation and participation. First Come, First served. Pick up ticket at Youth Desk.

Join us on the 2nd Monday and 4th Tuesday of the month. We supply the coloring pages and pencils.

Learn how to navigate ecommerce sites to buy and sell new and used items on online shopping sites like eBay, Amazon, and peer to peer sales sites like LetGo, OfferUp, FaceBook Marketplace, Craigslist, and more!

Join us for this adult crafting class. Using fabric, fusible webbing and an iron participants in this workshop will create small but unique collages. Finished pieces can be hung or made into items such as small purses, etc.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees?

Need a plant or insect identified?

Drop in to receive research-based lawn, landscape and pest management help from the University of Florida.

Having trouble with your device? Need help syncing your eBooks? Come see Luis, our in-house tech expert! See the Reference Desk for more information.

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.

Earn up to 30 hours of community service by participating in this 2-week summer program to become a better citizen and volunteer in your community. Learn about survival skills, home care basics, marketing your abilities, and more!

Join other tweens this summer for Xbox and WiiU gaming. Play starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served and the program is restricted to youth ages 9-12 years old.

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.

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.

Students who attend Part 1 will continue to research their family history on the second day in Part 2 during which the class instructor is available to answer questions and help the students in their research.

Books, puppets, songs, dance, yoga, and more surprises for families with children ages birth-5.

Special guests include:

Adrianne Pezzella for Fun to Be Fit on June 5 and July 10,

Did you just finish a rockin' book? We want to hear about it! Join us Tuesday mornings to discuss what you are reading and maybe find some different recommendations!

Practice reading with a buddy or have someone read a book to you. Have fun while becoming a better reader. The volunteers are not trained experts, but someone to listen and help when needed.

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.

Earn up to 30 hours of community service by participating in this 2-week summer program to become a better citizen and volunteer in your community. Learn about survival skills, home care basics, marketing your abilities, and more!

Join us for a robotics workshop! During this one-day workshop, teams will build a robot and test it for movement. Once the robots are complete, we will have a competition for the fastest robot to complete its task!

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.

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.

A five-week survey Presented by John Goodman,Professor Emeritus, Boston University. Sponsored by the Sarasota Music Archive. 

This first of a two-part class is for people who have no prior knowledge of computers. Participants learn about the Windows operating system and terminology related to using the computer keyboard and mouse.

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.

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

Earn up to 30 hours of community service by participating in this 2-week summer program to become a better citizen and volunteer in your community. Learn about survival skills, home care basics, marketing your abilities, and more!

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

Join other tweens this summer for Xbox and WiiU gaming. Play starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served and the program is restricted to youth ages 9-12 years old.

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.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Recommended for up to 5 years with parent or caregiver. Stories followed by free play with Duplos® and other toys. Limit 80.

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

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

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

Join us for snacks and a movie!

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

Earn up to 30 hours of community service by participating in this 2-week summer program to become a better citizen and volunteer in your community. Learn about survival skills, home care basics, marketing your abilities, and more!

Join other tweens this summer for Xbox and WiiU gaming. Play starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served and the program is restricted to youth ages 9-12 years old.

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 a variety of activities throughout the summer. Drop by the youth department to get a detailed list of activities that will be offered.

Curious about how to recreate the sound of crunching snow during a Florida summer? Need some thunder sounds for a project, but no clouds are in sight?

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

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.

Ages: 10-18. Making Mandalas from Natural Materials with Ellen Goldberg. Mandalas are geometric designs symbolizing the universe. Explore patterns, radial design, and repetition while creating your own one-of-a-kind artwork.

Isha Kriya is a simple 12-18 minute practice to help you become effortlessly meditative. Isha Kriya does not require previous experience with meditation, and each one hour session can be done sitting in a chair.

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.

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.

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.

A six-part class to help children stay more focused and to concentrate better, important skills that can lead to enhanced student performance.

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.

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

Join our resident technology expert to learn digital art, coding, and web design.  Be sure to sign up for the series as these programs build on one another.

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.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Participate with your child in singing, chanting, moving, dancing, listening and playing simple instruments while developing a strong musical bond with your child.

In this DVD course, Professor Bill Messenger of the Peabody Institute of the John Hopkins University explores the origins and history of American musical theater, spanning two vibrant centuries.

Hear a fun music themed story, enjoy playing games, and make a summer craft celebrating our library theme Libraries Rock! Program is for children, tweens, and families.

A six-part class to help children stay more focused and to concentrate better, important skills that can lead to enhanced student performance.

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.

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

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.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

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

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Learn what it takes to be a part of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Meet members of the team and interactively explore the equipment they use to keep the public safe.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room June 4-Aug. 3 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

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

Teens will learn about Australian music, instruments and culture through presentation and participation in a workshop with Darren - making your own didgeridoo!! Registration Required.

Join us every Monday through the summer for family movies and refreshments! Stop by the youth department for a full list of movie titles.

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

Use your imagination and creative abilities to make things. Each session will be a different do-it-yourself activity.

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

Learn about the artist, Henri Rousseau and create your own rain forest banner

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.

A high-energy, interactive, Australia-themed show that combines music, culture, puppetry, comedy, storytelling and audience participation.

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.

Kids ages 5-12. Explore different musical forms via special performances, instrument show-and-tell, and creating musical instruments with everyday materials.

Come watch the Blu-ray version of the exciting movie about the Amazon champion turned Super hero on our high definition screen!

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.

Laughter Yoga is an exercise activity which includes stretching, deep breathing, clapping and mostly laughing. With more than 50 health benefits, Laughter Yoga is great fun and you end up feeling wonderful. No mats or contortions required.

Join Jeff Hanna and Barbara Gail for a live ukulele and drum performance on July 13th while you build your own ukulele.  Then return on July 20th to decorate your ukulele and learn to play some simple tunes.

Learn Genealogy research through Ancestry, Heritage Quest, etc.  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.

Bring your imagination to life with LEGO®! Come build machines, animals, architecture, monsters, and more every second Saturday of the month. LEGO pieces will be provided. For children ages 5-11.

Learn about the science behind sounds with fun experiments.

Combined session for North Port Library and Shannon Staub Library TAB groups.

Location: Shannon Staub Library

Bilingual stories, songs and activities. Learn new words and practice language skills. This bilingual storytime is presented by Library Volunteer Lourdes Fuller. Everyone is welcome!

Drop in to play and create with different materials each week.
June 11: Brain Flakes
June 18: Gears! Gears! Gears!
June 25: Pipe Cleaner Creatures
July 9: Tissue Box Guitars
July 16: Crafty Percussion Instruments

Do you carry a song in your heart and a tap in your toes? Then join us on Monday afternoons all summer long for Musical Monday Matinée! Each Monday we'll be screening a different musical in our Juliano Room at 2:30 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of exploring and learning how the database, ArtistsWorks, can help you learn an instrument, sing or create art on your own schedule!

Ages 6 and up. Learn how to juggle using scarves and bean bags with pro Gerard Tricarico. Limit 25.

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.

Every week, we will focus on a form of tech, such as Coding Games, Let's MakeyMakey music games, and Introduction to 3D Design! Ages 11-18. Click the titles below to go to register for the specific event.

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

Get crafty with studs, patches and fabric. Bring your own jeans, hoodies or anything else you would like to alter, and see what you can create! Supplies provided while they last.

Learn the fundamentals of sewing, from threading the machine to finishing touches. Make and take an item sewn by you! Materials are provided, class is free!

Unfamiliar with your new phone? Here's a hint, if it's not an iPhone, it's an Android. Come learn the basics of setting up and operating smartphones running on Android-based operating systems.

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.

Children ages 5-7 may learn to code with Scratch Jr. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Pick up a ticket at the youth desk starting 30 minutes before the program.

NASA/JPL Ambassador Linda McKenna will give a presentation that focuses on NASA's exploration of the Solar System.

Learn printmaking techniques to create your own optical illusion that tricks the eye into believing a flat paper surface is 3-D. Watch the magic happen! Discover other optical illusion artists' works to find your inspiration.

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.

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

Learn about these fascinating instruments from Australia, and explore the Australian culture and environment in a comical, interactive program. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Design and create an original necklace using exciting beads.  The principles of design such as symmetry, patterns, focal point and color balance will be taught.  Leave class wearing your own special creation!

For teens ages 11-18.  Have some fun with your friends at this workshop and learn Hip Hop Dance techniques! Presented by Sarasota Contemporary Dance. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants.  

Isha Yoga and Meditation for Beginners

Come join us for an exploration of mindfulness and find your inner peace.

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

Drop in to play board games with your friends and other people in the library, and have the chance to win prizes. Friday, July 13 will feature "Dead of Winter!"

All skill levels welcome at this friendly, drop in chess club.

Drop in and make a variety of percussion instruments out of unexpected materials. Recommended for ages 5 and up.