Week Calendar

CANCELED

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

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.

Latin American Culture with Carlos - - Readings and Conversation en español (high beginner to intermediate level):  

Monthly book discussion. See the Book Club flier by the circulation desk for a complete list of future titles. 

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.

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.

The Florida Department of Health of Sarasota County, Health in Motion staff will be on-site to provide no-cost health screenings and referrals for general health and wellness.

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.

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.

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 to get your child excited and prepared for school.  Special programs:

Oct. 8: Stretch and Grow Exercise Class

Nov. 19: Wiggles and Giggles Early Learning Activity Event

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.

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.

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.

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.

Master Gardener Plant Clinic: Have experienced and trained gardeners answer your botanical questions from every first and third Thursday morning in study room C. 

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.

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 2-4.

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

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

Join American Sewing Guild teacher Kathy for an afternoon of machine sewing, sharing and creativity. Drop in with your works-in-progress or use our fabric stash and sewing books to start something new.

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.

New to Microsoft Word?  Come learn how to create a document, choose font, point size, spacing, and even color.  Learn how to insert photos, print and more.

Must register.

Weekly meeting of the Venice French Club. 

UF/IFAS presents healthy eating options for children and families. Demonstrations and samples are offered.

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.

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.

Stroll through our Reading Garden with your little one as YOU become the storyteller.

Enjoy a different book the first Saturday of every month!

Best suited for ages 7 and under, but all ages can participate.

Yoga is fun for the whole family with yoga instructor, Casey Navarro! Recommended for ages 2-5 attending with adult. Tickets available at the youth desk starting at 10:15 a.m. the morning of each program.

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! This is an Intermediate level conversation group.  Sponsored by the Literacy Council of Sarasota.

Upa Yoga is a simple yet powerful set of ten practices that activate the joints, muscles, and energy system, bringing ease to the whole system.

Learn to code in a variety of languages through the nationally recognized "Girls Who Code" program. Middle and high school girls will complete their own parts of a joint project that benefits the community. Not interested in coding? Our 11 a.m.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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

For ages 4-6.

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.

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.

Children 5 - 9 can drop into the Children's Department and work on a craft kit!

Ages 7-12. Each month has a new topic relating to Science, Engineering, Technology, or Math! Registration is required and light snack are served.

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.

Learn how to make healthy food choices and prepare healthy meals for yourself, your family, and your friends!

Presented by Cooking Matters and All Faiths Food Bank.

This program is open to teens in grades 6-12. Register below!

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

VPL patrons playing chess and teaching the game to others

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

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.

Learn how to digitize 35mm, mounted slides, and 6x22 cm medium-format film. This program is a tutorial for the basic scanning and image editing process only.

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

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

Join us on the first Thursday of the month to discuss our selection. Limited to 20 participants. Register at the Fruitville Reference Desk or call 941 861-2518

Drop in and learn what the 3D Doodler Pen is and how it works. 

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.

On the first Friday 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.

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

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

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Teens in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to hang out, 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.

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

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

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

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

from loading the machine to making a straight stitch.

literacy

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Drop in and learn what the Cricut Maker is and how it works. 

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

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 and join the book discussion group on the first Thursday of the month. A different book title is chosen every month to explore. This book club is sponsored by Friends of Gulf Gate Library.

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?

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

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.

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

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.

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

Come create, play, or just relax at the library after school.  Our Teen Room is open from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

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

Explore the voting process and the requirements for voter registration.

To vote in Florida, you must be a Florida resident, at least 18 years or age, and registered. You can pre-register at age 16 or 17.

Ages 5 and up. Work on your own creations or build as a team. We provide the LEGOs, you provide the imagination. Creations will be on display in the youth area for one week following the programs.

Join us on October 5 from 2-4 p.m. to meet the six authors of "Ribbons of Scarlet: A Novel of the French Revolution's Women" at the Shannon Staub Library!

Try your hand at voice acting and/or create and perform your own podcast content using Garageband.

Come to the teen room and choose from a variety of board games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Uno, Scattergories, Scrabble and more.

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

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.

Come to the teen room and choose from a variety of board games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Uno, Scattergories, Scrabble and more.

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

Teens and tweens take over the Creation Station. Drop in to explore electronic music, digital design, sewing, podcasting 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.

Join us for an afternoon of strategy, friends and fun! Recommended for ages 8+. All skill levels welcome!

Come join other 11-17-year-olds for an afternoon of competitive card games and board games: Sushi Go, Coup, Dutch Blitz and Love Letter just to name a few!

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

One-on-one technology assistance moves you to confidence

when accessing electronic resources.

Tinker with tech and robotics for a free creative experience!

The first Thursday of Every Month.

Come to the teen room and choose from a variety of board games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Uno, Scattergories, Scrabble and more.

Join us for our weekly board game night!  Choose from our collection or bring one of your own!

Join the Teen Advisory Board and make a difference at the library and in your community! We meet in various areas of the library, so please ask at the youth desk for the location chosen for that day.

Aug. 30: Welcome meeting

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.

Do you want to share your anime/manga obsession with other Otaku? Come to the club! We will enjoy talking about Japanese culture, eating Japanese snacks, and of course, watching anime!

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.

A different project every week!

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

Ages 6+.

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!

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.