Week Calendar

Back by popular demand... Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theater returns for a special presentation of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood! Enjoy the performance and learn all about how these puppets are used to bring the story to life.

Full library service for residents of Longboat Key.

Forever Fit is an exercise class for ages 55+. 

Join us and learn simple exercises to increase strength, balance, and endurance.

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

Today we'll discuss the book: “The Demon of Unrest” by L. Erik Larson (2024)

Enjoy this free storytime program from The Ringling that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum. Plus, continue the fun by taking home a surprise! Best for ages 0-5.

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.

An Agency Site is a stop such as a senior living community, nursing home or school that is not accessible to the public.

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

The Socrates Cafe is a discussion group in which everyone is welcome! Feel free to join in and propose topics that interest you. We vote on the topic and then take turns offering viewpoints and questions.

Early literacy begins in infanthood - join Miss Taylor for a storytime specifically dedicated to babies ages 0-24 months.

Forever Fit is an exercise class for ages 55+. 

Join us and learn simple exercises to increase strength, balance, and endurance.

Musical Motion is a FREE bilingual learn & play class that encourages bonding while developing early learning and literacy skills in children.

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.

Join us every month for a variety of STEM activities including ozobots, LEGO^TM  bricks, snap circuits, and more! All ages welcome!

Join the POP UP for Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA! 

This FREE community event is all about helping kids stay active, engaged, and healthy as we head into summer 

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.

This preschool-aged story time is led by a library staff member. Enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun activities!

Join the Friends of The Venice Library for a tour of our beautiful library. It is guaranteed you will be surprised and impressed with all of the special features we have for all ages.

Happy Earth Day!

Already know a few chords? Let's take your guitar skills to the next level! In this fun, family-friendly 6-week class, you'll learn to play your favorite songs, learn more chords and move forward with guitar techniques.

Where Wildflowers Grow: Watercolors of Sarasota’s Past explores Sarasota’s history through historic wildflower illustrations by local artists and botanists.

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. 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.

Join us to discuss The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.

The in-person Betty J. Johnson Library writing group is for anyone seeking dedicated time to work on new or continuing writing projects.

As the Sarasota County Veteran’s Services Outreach Officer,  Aretha Gipson will provide an overview of VA benefits available to veterans and their families.

An Agency Site is a stop such as a senior living community, nursing home or school that is not accessible to the public.

Join the Friends of The Venice Library for a tour of our beautiful library. It is guaranteed you will be surprised and impressed with all of the special features we have for all ages.

This neuroscience-research based workshop dispels outdated myths about the brain and brain function, specifically through the foundational concept of neuroplasticity.  This workshop describes new and exciting brain activation alternatives to

Add a touch of romance to your yard or party.  All materials provided.  No registration is required.  Seating is limited.  First Come, first seated.

Join us for an afternoon of creative expression and calm.  Each month we will work on diamond painting a coaster based on a holiday/seasonal theme.  This group is extremely popular, and seating is limited to 8.

Add a touch of romance to your yard or party.  All materials provided.  No registration is required.  Seating is limited.  First Come, first seated.

Learn to sew a fabric basket, in this beginner friendly sewing class.

Registration is required and limited to 6 adults. One name per registration, please. 

Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

We conclude our journey through India with a visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, drawing over 640 million people in just six weeks—a breathtaking display culture, and devotion.

Join us on the third Tuesday of every month for a new art project! 

In this hands-on art program, our young artists will be given an assortment of craft supplies to create their own mythical creatures!

Unleash your inner architect with LEGO® and DUPLO® building! Come over and let's paint the town brick red with our creative construction skills.

Drop-in and build! Using the Legos provided, let your imagination run wild. Will it be an animal? A building? Or something never imagined before? You decide!

Florida has been a refuge for outcasts and scoundrels for  centuries. Join presenter Jacob Winge as he list some of the famous and infamous who called Florida home for the past 400 years!

Join us on our journey into the exciting world of paper circuits! In this 1-hour workshop we'll discover the magic of how simple materials like copper tape, LED lights and paper can be used to create a circuit. 

Join us every other Tuesday 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.

"For every action there is a reaction" isn't just a saying in this class! Learn how to react confidently to whatever life throws at you on and off the stage!

Join us at Teen DIY Lab! 

Each month we will try out a new DIY project you can make and take home.

This month we will be using the Cricut and infusible ink to personalize a variety of items (materials provided).

Children are invited for a special opportunity to share a story with a furry friend! Take advantage of this no-pressure, judgment-free zone to practice reading with a certified therapy dog.  Space is limited. First come, first seated.

Unwind and get fit with this beginner-friendly guided yoga class for teens and tweens! Join us for an hour-long lesson and learn basic yoga and breathing exercises that can be used in your everyday life. Registration required.

Who doesn't love a good CRAFTernoon? Join us each month for a fun craft. All you need to bring is your creativity! This month, learn how to paint a symmetrical butterfly! Recommended for ages 5-12.

An Agency Site is a stop such as a senior living community, nursing home or school that is not accessible to the public.

Join other teens at our monthly Teen Advisory Board Meeting. The Board will discuss topics related to teen library services, teen programs and the teen collections. Attendees will receive community service credit for their time at the meeting.

Join us for an unforgettable art class that uses hands-on techniques alongside art history, while fostering self-expression, innovation and creativity. Try out a variety of art styles across six sessions!

Join the POP UP at a FREE party to celebrate your child's milestone moment! Open to all families of children entering kindergarten in 2026 at a Sarasota County public or charter school.

(FIRST COME FIRST SERVED)

With local artist, Shelly Augsbury, to guide you, teens and their families can create their own trinket trays out of air-dry clay.

Kids will love this merry and magical marionette performance of the classic tale "Puss In Boots," performed by Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre!