Week Calendar

Join the North Port Creative Writers Circle, meeting the 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month.

Get genealogy research assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.

Bring your questions!

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees?  Need a plant or an insect identified?  On the first and the third Monday mornings of the month, from 10am to 12 pm, Gulf Gate Library hosts the Master Garde

A representative from All Faiths Food Bank will be available to help with your SNAP application. 

Appointments are preferred but not required. 

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

Join us for storytime! Stories, rhymes, songs, and simple crafts for little ones and their special grownup. 

Come join us for a fun time of playing and learning with varying toys and activities. Recommended for ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

Join us for songs, rhymes, play, and of course great stories! Engage kids in visual literacy, language development, and social skills in a fun class presented by our Youth Services team.

Join us on Mondays of the month for adult coloring!  We supply the coloring pages and the pencils. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library. Hope to see you there.

On the first and third Tuesday of each month, the Pop-Up will be at the Town Center Green of Longboat Key with books for all ages and a Storytime for children at 10:30 AM. Swing by to sign up for a library card and read a book with us!

Use 1 of 5 Brother sewing machines on Your Own Project. Must Know How to Sew.  Machines Available on first come first serve basis.

What time is it? It's library time!  Join us in the youth area for a special octopus-themed storytime to celebrate this year's "One Book Sarasota" selection, Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Looking to try something new and maybe make a friend or two?  Join the library book club! 

Join us for a page or two of your favorite word puzzles! We'll have crosswords, sudoku, word searches, and more.

For people who want to improve their French speaking skills and enjoy reading French-language articles and discussing them.

Join us for a fun time filled with books, songs, and a craft! Each Little Critter Storytime will focus on a different animal!

Join us at the Fruitville Library with your knit/crochet projects. All ages and skills are welcome. Supplies and knowledgeable members are on hand to help anyone interested in learning to knit or crochet. 

Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their families can enjoy loosely structured play with a variety of rotating toys and activities in our Story Time Room.

Children ages 2-8 and their caregivers are invited for Wednesday morning free-play time, with an assortment of toys and props to inspire the young imagination! Drop-in anytime between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The Sarasota Music Archive presents the John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series:

Please register for each event separately AND each name attending. (Duplicate registrations are deleted.)

Everyone is welcome to the open-topic discussions of the Socrates Cafe.

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

Come and get assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.

Bring your questions!

Stumped by technology? Your technology questions can be answered through an in-person appointment with one of our Tech Navigators. Tech Navigators are library staff members ready to assist you with technology skills.

Come and learn about library resources for finding those elusive ancestors.

For ages 2-5. Join us for story time filled with a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness. 

For infants to five years, attending with caregiver. The storytime includes simple stories, nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and crafts. Space is limited. Free tickets are available at the youth desk beginning at 10 a.m.

A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program designed to help people learn practical strategies to manage falls and increase physical activity levels. 

Participants will learn:

Enjoy a cup of tea while discussing British movies and television series with a very welcoming group.

Join us for a special interactive magic show presented by local magician, Dick Stevens! Enjoy a magical and entertaining show that will bring wonder and smiles to the whole family and a chance to participate "on stage".  All ages welcome!

Join us for a magical journey through the waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers of Patagonia led by Jane Mahler.

The Plant Clinic meets in the library lobby.

Join Florida Humanities and Selby Library for a celebration of the Suncoast region at the second annual Florida Humanities Festival!

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

Join Teresa as she teaches even more difficult origami than she does in her beginner class.

She likes to create items to decorate a home or to give away as a gift. She brings in her own extra work as examples and sometimes to give away.

Get assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers

Bring your questions

Get expert and experienced genealogy research assistance.

Bring your questions

Join a fun exercise class with a coach from Stretch and Grow of Sarasota. Recommended for ages 3-6; all ages welcome in the room as needed.

Assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers

Bring your questions

Join us at the North Port Library for storytime!  Songs, crafts and stories guaranteed! 

Join us at the North Port Library for a kid's sensory playtime.  

A fun interactive, educational time designed for children with autism and/or sensory challenges.  

Chair Yoga with Didi McKay!

Did you know that there are over 84 species of Cephalopods found in the Gulf of Mexico? From octopuses to cuttlefish to squids – discover the incredible, sneaky skills of these ocean adventurers through a presentation and hands-on learning.

Socrates Cafe 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

The Health in Motion Bus offers free and low-cost public health services. A registered nurse is available at all visits. Individuals who need follow-up medical care are referred to a primary health care provider. No appointment needed.

Play Mah Jongg in the rotunda with other experienced players in the Rotunda and make new friends! Please bring your own NMJL card with your name on it. You must be experienced enough to complete four games per hour to participate.

Jam and learn with your teen teacher, Anni Szantosi, and her numerous instruments! This club is for music lovers who want to learn to play an instrument or find people who enjoy music. 

Join a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County educator for an hour of fun education and crafting with some of Sarasota’s local natural marine treasures.

In this hands-on workshop, teens will have the opportunity to express their artistic flair by designing and creating unique 3D bead art pieces using colorful Perler beads.

Make paper peonies or desert roses from pre-cut petals for a sweet decoration with a modern twist!

Get assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers

Bring your questions

Bring your projects, patterns, and questions to Elsie Quirk Library and join the Quirky Knitters for an afternoon of knitting and crochet.  All skill levels welcome.  Registration is not required, so come on in to knit and chat!

Join other local knitters and crocheters while working on personal projects and discussing all things knitting/crocheting. All skill levels welcome. 

Registration is not required, so come on in to knit and chat!

--- ADVANCE APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

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.

Learn how to knit in this fun 4-part class! The class will meet every Friday from March 14th to April 4th, and registering for the first class registers you for all four sessions.

Grab a friend and some popcorn and enjoy a free showing of a different movie each month! March movie will be The Fall Guy, an action-comedy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

Explore the deep connection between storytelling and the sea! From its mesmerizing beauty to its untamed power, the ocean has inspired countless unforgettable tales.

Kick of your Spring Break with free boba tea and try out different flavor combinations!

While supplies last. Not recommended for those with soy allergies.

A Matter of Balance: Jan. 13 - March 17. No classes on Jan. 20 and Feb. 17 due to the holidays. 

Drop in and learn about geology while you paint beach stones with Elizabeth Goodwill from Creative Liberties Artist Studios!  Join us in the youth area and come prepared for a mess.

Fourteen women have served as first lady of the United States since Eleanor Roosevelt. These remarkable women are wives, mothers and confidants to the most powerful person in the world, in addition to occupying their own place on the internat

Join us for "Fall Prevention 101," a dynamic and informative workshop designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to reduce the risk of falls.

Judy will celebrate the One Book selection for 2025, "Remarkably Bright Creatures," and lead a group to create an Octopus stencil with watercolor paper and inks. 

Registration Required.

Stumped by technology? Your technology questions can be answered through an in-person or distance appointment with one of our Tech Navigators. Tech Navigators are library staff members ready to assist you with technology skills.

Join a UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County educator for an hour of fun education and crafting with some of Sarasota’s local natural marine treasures.

🌊🐠 Dive into the magical world of needle felting with our "Sea Animals and Seascapes" workshop with Kat Sjogren at the library! 🐢🦀

The Ghosts of the Curse of de Soto

Presented by:

Do you have what it takes to escape?

This program is a unique and sustainable way to explore your creativity and imagination.

*THIS CLUB IS CURRENTLY FULL*

Meet other coders and work on your coding project. Share with others and troubleshoot as a team. Led by Levi Szantosi whose top picks are Python, Scratch, and Unreal Engine.

Local band The Garbage-Men perform nautical numbers such as The Beatles’ “Octopus's Garden” and “Yellow Submarine”, a selection of SpongeBob classics, and The Beach Boys’ sea shanties on their unique homemade recycled instruments.

Join us each month for some fresh air and a fun outdoor STEAM activity in our youth garden space each month. Best for ages 5 – 12 

Calling all young book lovers! Come join the book dragons, where we dive into the latest and greatest YA novels, classics, and everything in between.

Self-care and maintenance will be enhanced through meditation, guided imagery and breathing techniques.

Create a fun spinning and twirling toy using a wooden skewer and strips of paper. 

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Mediterranean Cuisine - Healthy Eating on a Budget. Mediterranean cuisine is often lauded as the healthiest diet on the planet.

Calling all families with readers! Our dog friends from the Suncoast Humane Society are returning to the Jacaranda Library, and they want you to read to them!

The Multi-session program meets weekly for 4 weeks and will provide you with the valuable tools you need to help you quit tobacco.

Your organization is making a meaningful impact, and you are passionate about your work. But how do you effectively communicate that impact to inspire community support?

Families are invited to learn all about how chickens help us learn about mosquitos with an educational presentation from Carly Dufficy from the Sarasota County Mosquito Management Team followed by fun activities and a special visit with Bluey, the

Children are invited to read with certified pet therapy dogs. The program encourages conversation and develops reading and communication skills.

This program is intended for children who can read independently  

Come and explore with Starry the Starfish and Red the Lobster as they explore our universe with the exploration of our Earth’s oceans in our inflatable 3D dome. 

 Space is limited. Tickets at the youth desk starting at 3 p.m.

Join the Venice Theater for a very special "Alice in Wonderland" themed tea party! This event will feature a read aloud, light snacks, and plenty of photo opportunities. Wear your fanciest clothes as dressing up is encouraged.

Celebrate the weekend with an hour of open gaming time with video games and board games!

Want to get more involved with the library?

Need a place to get some homework done, write that paper, or work on that group project? Come over to Elsie Quirk Library to study and listen to some tunes while you get your homework done!

If you like writing your own pieces or would like to grow your creativity, come join us for our Teen Writers Club!  Enhance your writing skills, participate in free-writing exercises and get feedback on written work.

Come draw with us! In this open hour have fun drawing your own doodle designs.

LEGO Club is back! Join us every other Tuesday in the Creation Station to show off your LEGO building talents.  Use the hour to freely build or choose one of our challenge cards for inspiration! Best for ages 5-12.

Meet therapy dogs and their owners.  Enjoy the benefits of spending time with therapy pets!

A different project every week!

Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Watch anime and discuss your favorite characters. Explore anime-inspired, Asian snacks and crafts. Ages 9-18 are welcome!

Don't be late for a very important library program! Enjoy tea and treats with characters from Venice Theatre's upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland.

Join us for a career development workshop which will include short lectures, discussion, and will conclude with a Q&A

Topics for discussion:

Kyle Rogers: "Job search strategies"

Mark McKim: "Interview Preparation"

Make beautiful and dreamy seashell collages out of shells, watercolor paint, and glitter. 

Come paint your very own miniature flowerpot at the library, plant a succulent, and watch it grow!

Make some cheerful daisies from brightly colored paper and book pages.

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!

Movie Club is every 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Movie will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

Enjoy a movie with a short discussion afterwards about what you liked or disliked about the movie. There will be popcorn and snacks available.

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society:

March 19, 2025

“Beyond the Excavation: Interpreting Angola”

Dr. Jean Lammie

Join us to watch "My Octopus Teacher" (2020)

A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.

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

Bring the whole family for an evening of gaming and movies!  Play your favorite board games while enjoying a family film. All ages welcome!

Join us as we discuss "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by James Mc Bride for our monthly Book Club!

Copies of the book will be available through the Sarasota County Library catalog found here https://sarac.scgov.net/

Join author Edward Aldrich on this discussion of history and his book "The Partnership: George Marshall, Henry Stimson, and the Extraordinary Collaboration that Won World War II."

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