Week Calendar

Introduction to Genealogy: participants will follow the instructor as she uses her own ancestor to demonstrate the features of Ancestry.com library edition and HeritageQuest.

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

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

Keep calm and create. Current self-directed projects include: embroidery and friendship bracelets, beads, origami, mini artworks, crochet and color pencils.  Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

For 0 to 30 months with caregivers. Join us for a traditional program of stories, rhymes, songs, and activities.

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

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

Bring your Android phones and tablets plus your questions on how to use them and why they do what they do to this workshop. This workshop will focus on customizing your home screens.

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

Librarian Charlotte Thompson leads a monthly book discussion group. 

September 10:   Philip Roth   The Plot Against America.     

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!

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.

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.

Keep calm and create. Current self-directed projects include: embroidery and friendship bracelets, beads, origami, mini artworks, crochet and color pencils.  Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

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.

Who should attend:  Anyone who has questions about flood risks, zones, insurance regulations and pending map changes: especially residents, professional lenders, insurance agents and realtors.

Books, puppets, songs, dance and more surprises. Geared for ages

3-5, but all are welcome to join the fun. Enjoy special guest Adrianne

Join Sue Fox from the Alzheimer's Association for this interactive program where you will gain tips on communicating with person's who have memory loss. 

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.

The Memory Mobile is a travelling office of the Alzheimer's Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter intended to bring public awareness and dementia-related information to the community.

Keep calm and create. Current self-directed projects include: embroidery and friendship bracelets, beads, origami, mini artworks, crochet and color pencils.  Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

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

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

Learn to knit and crochet! All ages and skill levels welcome! Bring your own yarn and needles. Supplies provided for beginners.

As of January 10, 2019, this event has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please consider registering for the Genealogy classes in February or March. 

 A series of musical lectures, presented in honor of John Goodman, Professor Emeritus, Boston University.

This week: The Basic Elements of Opera

Join the Friends of Fruitville Library for a presentation by Sarasota County archaeologist Steve Koski and hear about some of our local underwater archaeological sites:   how they were found, how they can be protected, and what we c

Get into the adult coloring craze ! Join us for a fun and unique way to unwind, reduce stress, and express your creativity at the Shannon Staub Library. All supplies will be provided. Artistic talent is not required. Refreshments are included.

Socrates Café are gatherings around the world where people from different backgrounds get together and exchange thoughtful ideas and experiences while embracing the central theme of the Socratic method: that we learn more when we respectfully list

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.

Be a better poet by working with other poets.

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

Keep calm and create. Current self-directed projects include: embroidery and friendship bracelets, beads, origami, mini artworks, crochet and color pencils.  Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

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

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

The Reading Discussion Group meets the third Thursday of each month October through April. Selected titles will be available for checkout from the Sarasota County Library System. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

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.

For ages 0-5.  Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy activities that include books, music, movement, crafts and play.  

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

Weekly meeting of the Venice French Club. 

Meets every first and third Friday of the month.

Topics vary each session but always a lively science subject.

The Life After Downton group meets to discuss British PBS programs, new films, and books along with a nice cup of tea. All are welcome to join.

Caregivers and children will be able to select a stuffed animal buddy and coordinating book for some special one-on-one time with each other. 

Fun To Be Fit Kids is a music and movement program for children and their caregivers to attend together. Classes are designed for children and their caregivers to spend quality time together singing, dancing, getting some exercise and having fun!

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.

Learn how the use of rain barrels can conserve water, save money by reducing the use of potable water in landscapes (lower utility bills), and reduce stormwater runoff by storing and diverting runoff from impervious surfaces (like roofs).

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.

Drop-in breastfeeding support and education will be offered at no charge by a trained peer counselor from Healthy Start Coalition with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness for mothers.

Special Author Event

Who should attend:  Anyone who has questions about flood risks, zones, insurance regulations and pending map changes: especially residents, professional lenders, insurance agents and realtors.

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

How creative can you be with a potato?  Decorate, dress, and accessorize your potato.  Win prizes based on a variety of categories including cutest, most monstrous, and most like me creation.  Potato eating contest.  See variou

For 2 1/2 to 5 years with caregivers. Join us for stories, rhymes, and music. Concludes with a craft.

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

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

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

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

For ages 3-6.

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

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

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 yoga with stories and a craft to promote mindfulness, listening skills and kindness. For ages 5-8 attending independently.

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

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

Learn about composting in this exciting program presented by the University of Florida / IFAS Extension Service of Sarasota. 

Chess lovers meet and play chess with other chess lovers. All skill levels are welcome.

Advanced Research : Use your own ancestor to search Ancestry and HeritageQuest. To begin your personal search bring the complete name, dates (birth/death), and location of where this family member lived or might have lived.

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

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 method: we learn more when we respectfully listen to and debate ideas wit

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.

Join us each month for our book club! New to the group?

Stop by the Information Services Desk or call 941-861-1360 to find out what book is selected for this month. 

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.

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

Free entry. Win prizes! 

Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination. Duplo Blocks are available for younger children. Ages 2-12.

Join the Death Cafe for monthly support and discussions on death the end-of-life. Visit www.deathcafe.com for more information.

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

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, have snacks, play games, and more.

Asolo Play Readers Presents: "Moon Over Buffalo" by Ken Ludwig. The Asolo Play Readers present a dramatic reading of the comedy "Moon over Buffalo" by Ken Ludwig. This comedy is about an acting couple, Charlotte and George Hay tryin

Learn hands on iPad basics, internet browsing, downloading apps, how to take a photo and more! IPads are available for participants to use. If you bring your own iPad you will need an Apple ID.

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. 

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, have snacks, play games, and more.

Bob and Kim Yantorno are nature lovers and they will be sharing their experiences on an African Safari.  They visited the Serengeti National Park and Kilimanjaro.  Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

literacy

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, have snacks, play games, and more.

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.

Loose lecture-oriented discussion group for people who are relatively familiar with their Apple devices. Make the most out of your iPhones and iPads!

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.

Come and make your own dreamcatcher!

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.

      American Popular music lecturer and vocalist Dick Smolens presents a three part series "Young Bing and Frank." Two great singers who influenced vocalists in the 20th century.

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

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, have snacks, play games, and more.

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet cafe. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man - with a lot of loose ends.

Please join us for this Estate Planning workshop hosted by The Foundation for Financial Education.  Topics covered will include:

Meets every first and third Friday of the month.

Topics vary each session but always a lively science subject.

Meets every first and third Friday of the month.

Topics vary each session but always a lively science subject.

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, have snacks, play games, and more.

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

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.

Children are invited to read with certified pet therapy dogs from Suncoast Humane Society. This program encourages conversation and develops reading and communication skills. The dogs love the attention and the kids love the interactions.

This group is great for teens who love creative writing. Some things that our meetings will cover include: designing characters, writing short stories (or even long ones!), poetry, plotlines, group projects, story prompts, games, and more!