Week Calendar

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities.

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 week: Lolanthe. 

After completing the Computer Basics, Part 1, the student is ready to use the skills learned to access software and learn about Toolbars and Ribbons. The basics of file creating and organizing will be demonstrated.

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.

Join us for a fun musical experience and learn the many sounds a drum can make!

 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.

"Economics for Success" 

Junior Achievement Young Adult Program

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.

 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

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

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.

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.

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.

The Plant Clinic meets in the library lobby.

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 us for a morning of games, activities, stories, and learning designed to build skills to help children succeed in school. Educators will guide families through learning and share idea with parents to help ready your children for school.

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.

"Puppet Show and Tell" is an entertaining and educational presentation that shows (1) the five major types of puppets (hand, string, rod, shadow, and mouth puppets), (2) the history and multi-cultural roots of each type of puppet, (3) how to make

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.

The Lemur Conservation Foundation is proud to present the Ako Project. This conservation program focuses on environmental awareness and inspires children to connect with nature.

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.

Kids and teens ages 6-17, team up with us to build exSTREAMly tall and creative structures out of a variety of building toys, unique blocks, and everyday objects! Fun and prizes for all. Parents/caregivers may join in and help out.  

Come out for a high energy afternoon of physical activities, a competition, and free food. Bring your bathing suit and your game face!

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.

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.  

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 Florida Department of Health Sarasota County's Health in Motion staff provide no cost
health screenings and referrals for general health and wellness. No appointment is needed. For questions call 941-861-2873.

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 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?

Step back in time to America's early days and hear tales from the legendary lives of Paul Bunyan, Sally Ann Thunder Whirlwind Crockett, and Pecos Bill.  Katie Adams spins these tall tales entwined with old-time songs like "This Land is Your L

Journey to the wild west with Science Tellers as they present the Mystery of the Golden Piano. In this musical adventure filled with "notes" on science, volunteers from the audience will help explore chemical reactions, combustion, air pressu

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.

An energetic and entertaining experience. Hands-on exploration with sound, rhythms, drums and percussion instruments. This is an Artist in the Library program.

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 4-12.  This week, Music Club wraps up for the summer with Bug Songs, a fabulously fun presentation of bug science through song!  Parents/caregivers are welcome to join in the fun.

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.

Join fellow teens in creating digital 8 bit music, making a variety of sounds through circuitry with Little Bits, or challenge each other to a musical showdown with the DropMix card game.

The 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm genealogy session requires previous training from the introductory class at 10:30 am -12:30 pm.

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

Capture the light by making a suncatcher out of beads!

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.

Ages 6-11.  Make collage style pictures by adding fabric, yarn, paper, stickers, beads, jewels and tape.  Switch stations every 20 min.

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. 

Come to the Shannon Staub Library for FREE live music from blues musician Bodie Valdez! He plays finger style acoustic guitar and harmonica, and covers several Delta Blues Artists' approaches to that style of playing.

Watch and share your favorite music videos and see some famous classics.

Learn about sampling, mixing and arranging your own music using modern techniques and technology like DropMix, GarageBand and more. Seating is limited, tickets will be handed out one hour before the start of the program at the youth 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.

Celebrate Shark Week with us!

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.

Ages 11-18. Explore and experiment to create a unique treasure box with artist Judy Levine. Build layers of color with paint, collage, and tissue paper and then add texture and pattern using press printing techniques, stamps, and paint rollers.

As of 7/25/2018, this class has been cancelled.

Enjoy Celtic music with Scott Blum. This is a Concert in the Libraries program.

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.

Have you seen any colorful rocks hidden throughout Sarasota? 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.

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

Teens get slimed at the library! Make your own batch of ooey-gooey slime to take home. For teens and tweens ages 10+.

Join us for a fun and informal craft class.

Solve a series of puzzles and escape the room. Registration required and limited to 8 participants. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.