Week Calendar

Laughter Yoga has been shown to promote health and wellness.  Join this fun class and bring friends, relatives or neighbors.  This class ends with 15 minutes of guided meditation.

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 with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   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.

Learn to speak common Spanish phrases in a fun, relaxed environment.  This 6 week course is designed for adult beginners who have little or no background in Spanish.  You will learn Spanish vocabulary for meeting other people and gr

Join us for a morning of songs, stories and a themed craft!  Ages 0-5 welcome with caregivers!

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

The Literacy Council of Sarasota

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Class 

- Registration required through The Literacy Council of Sarasota

941.955.0421

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.

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.

A Reference Librarian will be available for help with e-books, computer basics, or questions about your electronic devices. Reserve a 30-minute session today by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.

Keep calm and create with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   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.

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.

Drop in to enjoy special play time with your child, meet our friendly Parenting Educators.

Books, puppets, songs, dance and more surprises to get your child excited and prepared for school.  *Fingerpaint party on July 30; dress accordingly!  Tickets are available at the youth desk 30 minutes before programs.

As part of the Artists in the Libraries program, come join us to fold origami to unfold your story! Follow artist Kuniko's step-by-step instruction to complete a simple origami model. 

Limited to 12 adults. Registration Required.

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.

Keep calm and create with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

We’re cleaning out the children's craft closet to make room for new programs in the new year!

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.

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

Learn all about the universe as you enjoy an immersive show inside the Discovery Dome Planetarium. Program includes "Journey to the Center of the Milky Way" and "From Earth to the Universe".

This computer class will focus on using the Internet. The instructor will demonstrate how to go to a specific webpage and how to do a search. 

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.

Come and socialize with fellow knitting, crocheting and sewing enthusiasts! All levels welcome. Bring your current project to work on.

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

Keep calm and create with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

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.

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

Recommended for up to 5 years with parent or caregiver. Singer/guitarist Dave Moran entertains with favorite children’s songs. Limit 80. Come to the Youth Desk starting one hour ahead to pick up a free ticket.

Learn all about the universe as you enjoy an immersive show inside the Discovery Dome Planetarium.  Program includes "Losing the Dark" and "Journey to the Center of the Milky Way".

Fun To Be Fit Kids is a music and movement program for children and their caregivers to attend together.

Gerard Tricarico uses choreographed juggling with illusions to deliver a high-energy show that is innovative and interactive.

The Literacy Council of Sarasota

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Class 

- Registration required through The Literacy Council of Sarasota

941.955.0421

Join us for our Cosmic Cafe Summer Reading program for adults. Learn how to create meditative drawings. 

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

Creativebug, a new database, offers more than 1,000 video tutorials on topics from art and design to home and food.  It's a fun place to find a new passion or to learn a new skill.  Easy to use we'll give you a tour of the offerings.&nbs

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.

Keep calm and create with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

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.

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.

Keep calm and create with self-directed arts and crafts projects.   Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

Meet new friends and chat with other parents and caregivers while your kids play and read in the picture book area. Enjoy a place to chill after walking around the Downtown Farmers Market!

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.

Upa Yoga is a good starting point for those who are new to yoga, and it can be used as a preparation for other yoga practices. it is a simple and effective program created to activate your joints and muscles.

Experience the wonders of the galaxy in our very own indoor, inflatable planetarium!

Program is drop-in anytime during the hours posted above.

The chess club is an opportunity to play friendly games of chess in a low-stress environment. Patrons of all ages and levels are welcome to come, as help is given to those who need it! Chess boards and pieces will be provided.

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.

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

Join other teens this summer for crafts and conversation. Refreshments will be provided and advance sign up is required. Check with the library for a complete list of crafts the teens will be making this summer.

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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.

Create your own galaxy themed button!

Bringing a baby into the world can fill our hearts with joy and love, and our minds with questions and wonder. Join other families navigating the newborn phase in a supportive, fun, and informative class with our Parenting Educators.

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

Children and families will receive Fire Safety Education from the North Port Fire Rescue with the puppet troupe The Safety Bunch. 

Join other tweens this summer for crafts and conversation. Refreshments will be provided and advance sign up is required. Check with the library for a complete list of crafts the teens will be making this summer.

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.

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

Engage babies newborn to 18 months with movement to music, singing, rhymes and basic sign language to enhance social interaction and language development. Playtime follows.

Fridays, June 7- July 26 with a break on July 5.

Learn new songs with Bobbie Morgan! Bobbie's goal is to help children develop a love for singing and to express themselves through music. Ages 1 1/2-6.

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.

Summer Breakspot Lunches for children and teens ages 0-18.  Provided by Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Services.

Come join us for our Space Themed teen movie. Continuous Showing of Lost In Space, from Noon - 7:30pm. Snacks will be provided.

Enjoy an early afternoon space themed movie!

Today we are watching Wall-E (rated G).

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room on weekdays, June 3-Aug. 2 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Summer Breakspot Lunches for children and teens ages 0-18.  Provided by Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Services.

Learn the fundamentals of the music program Garageband, and make you own song using loops, midi instruments and voice. Two 2-hour sessions per day, four people per session.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room on weekdays, June 3-Aug. 2 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Summer Breakspot Lunches for children and teens ages 0-18.  Provided by Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Services.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room on weekdays, June 3-Aug. 2 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Summer Breakspot Lunches for children and teens ages 0-18.  Provided by Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Services.

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.

Come build, experiment, and create with our 3D printer, laser cutter, sewing machines, and more. Bring your own projects for development, prototyping, and production, or start something new working hands-on with our Creation Station equipment.

Enjoy a light lunch on the library followed by an out of this world presentation with our special guest, Howard from the Bishop Planetarium!

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room on weekdays, June 3-Aug. 2 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Summer Breakspot Lunches for children and teens ages 0-18.  Provided by Sarasota County Food and Nutrition Services.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the youth program room on weekdays, June 3-Aug. 2 excluding July 4. Hot lunches are served on Monday through Thursday, and bagged lunches are served on Fridays.  

Learn to download library eBooks and audiobooks onto your device.

Interested in genealogy or building your family tree? Let us help! Visit our genealogy volunteer for one-on-one assistance. See the Reference Desk for more information.

VPL patrons playing chess and teaching the game to others

Come build space and galaxy themed crafts at the library!

Learn to download library eBooks and audiobooks onto your device.

Participants in this class will create their own "living pictures"/artworks using plants and frames. Recommended for ages 9-12!

Learn about the Universe while building.  Make and decorate a scale model of the solar system from a variety of materials, then place them throughout the library at the proper scale distances.  Next, create a variety of moon-based projec

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

Learn all about the universe as you enjoy an immersive show inside the Discovery Dome Planetarium. Program includes "Losing the Dark", "Mayan Archaeoastronomy" and "Journey to the Center of the Milky Way".  

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 Venice Sea Turtle Patrol volunteer, Mary Ginley, as she teaches us all about sea turtles!  Families of all ages are invited to attend this event.

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing with dancing, face painting, a photo booth, pizza and more!

First hour - tips and tricks on a weekly theme
Second hour - open for questions, sharing solutions

Bring your device and library staff will try to answer your questions in an informal group setting.
 

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.

Learn all about the universe as you enjoy an immersive show inside the Discovery Dome Planetarium.  Program includes "Losing the Dark" and "From Earth to the Universe".

Learn how to use your device or get basic computer assistance.

One-on-one technology assistance moves you to confidence when accessing electronic resources!

Hang out and play with an assortment of video games, board games, and activities in this gaming session for kids. Ages 5 - 9. 

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.

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

Enjoy popcorn and a movie on second and fourth Fridays during June and July.

The meeting room can be chilly, so a light jacket or sweater is recommended.

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

Come challenge other teens in a variety of electronic and board games. Refreshments will be provided and no advance sign up is required.

Join museum educator and author Didi McKay on an adventure to a  new continent each week. Learn about animal habitats and the value 

Ages 8 and up. Learn how to juggle using scarves and bean bags with pro Gerard Tricarico. Limit 25. Come to the Youth Desk starting one hour ahead to pick up a free ticket.

Ages 11-18. Space is limited, so register for your spot in each event!

June 11 - Stop Motion Animation

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

So you think you might be funny? Find your inner comedian by participating in an improv workshop led by Florida Studio Theatre professionals. Come to one or both sessions.

Create your own galaxy themed button!

In this intro class, you will learn the fundamentals of sewing, 

from loading the machine to making a straight stitch.

Come meet the people of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and the Mounted Patrol Unit of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

literacy

Come challenge other tweens in a variety of electronic and board games. Refreshments will be provided and no advance sign up is required.

Ages 9-18 – Ooze into a gooey hour of sliming around! Create slime using the Mad Science Recipe, and then enter your creation in the Slime Olympics.

Learn how to use your device or get basic computer assistance.

One-on-one technology assistance moves you to confidence when accessing electronic resources! 

Come meet Sarasota County’s new Agriculture Extension Agent and learn about regional and local trends in agriculture, including how you can support local farmers. Register early here:

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.

Invite your family and friends to come play laser tag at the library! A trained field marshal from Stealth Mobile Laser Tag will be directing missions.