Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Monday Morning Movie: Maltese Falcon

Monday, April 13, 2026 at 10:30am - 1:30pm

Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

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Join us for a relaxed Monday morning screening of "The Maltese Falcon" (1931). 100 minutes runtime."After the death of his partner, San Francisco private eye Sam Spade is dragged i...

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Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

Room: Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Movies

Join us for a relaxed Monday morning screening of "The Maltese Falcon" (1931). 100 minutes runtime.

"After the death of his partner, San Francisco private eye Sam Spade is dragged into a quest for a priceless statuette."

Florida Reflections Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

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The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of native flora and fauna, followed by ...

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Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

Room: Community Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

Program Type: America's 250th Celebration, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Special Events

The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries.

Serenity Sound Healing by Blue Lotus Buddhist Meditation Center

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm

Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

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Serenity Sound Healing is an auditory journey that immerses participants in a sea of harmonious sounds, created by a variety of instruments such as crystal bowls, Tibetan singing b...

Registration Open

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

Room: Community Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Healthy Living, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances

Registration Required

Serenity Sound Healing is an auditory journey that immerses participants in a sea of harmonious sounds, created by a variety of instruments such as crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, gong, chimes, drums, and even human vocal tones.

black and white photo of archaeological dig at Indian Mound Park circa the 1970s.

The Archaeology of Indian Mound Park

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:00pm

Meeting Room at Elsie Quirk Library

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While there is no question that Sarasota County is an attractive place to call home, archaeological sites like the one at Indian Mound Park prove humans have felt this way for thou...

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Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Archaeology, History & Culture, Lectures

While there is no question that Sarasota County is an attractive place to call home, archaeological sites like the one at Indian Mound Park prove humans have felt this way for thousands of years.

Music | Paging Through the American Songbook

Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library

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Join jazz vocalist Darienne Oaks and pianist David Lahm for an unforgettable hour of Paging Through the American Songbook—a vibrant journey through beloved jazz standards from the ...

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Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room AB

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries, Performances

Join jazz vocalist Darienne Oaks and pianist David Lahm for an unforgettable hour of Paging Through the American Songbook—a vibrant journey through beloved jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.

Remake Learning: Clay Trinket/Game Trays

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Learning Lab at Gulf Gate Library

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With local artist, Shelly Augsbury, to guide you, teens and their families can create their own trinket trays out of air-dry clay. Or, take your trinket tray a step further and tur...

Waitlist

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Learning Lab

Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), Families

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning, Remake Learning Days

Registration Required

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

Science Fair

Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 10:30am - 1:00pm

Veranda Room at North Port Library

Remake Learning:

This event is one of the many programs happening throughout Sarasota County for the Remake Learning Days Festival. Support for this program has been provided by the Patterson Found...

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Enter our annual Library Science Fair! Participants will showcase innovative projects and compete for exciting prizes.The science fair is open to all school-aged students (5th grad...

Registration Open

Library Branch: North Port Library

Room: Veranda Room

Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Career Journeys, Creation Station, Remake Learning Days

Registration Required

Enter our annual Library Science Fair! Participants will showcase innovative projects and compete for exciting prizes.

Your Hit Parade is Back!

Monday, April 27, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:30am

Meeting Room at Elsie Quirk Library

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Experience an hour-long collection of timeless tunes from the iconic "Hit Parade" radio and TV shows spanning 1935 to 1959. Take a nostalgic journey with this talented jazz duo, fe...

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Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Music in the Libraries, Performances

Experience an hour-long collection of timeless tunes from the iconic "Hit Parade" radio and TV shows spanning 1935 to 1959.

Karaoke Night

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Veranda Room at North Port Library

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Let your inner star shine at Karaoke Night!Join us at the North Port Library every fourth Tuesday of the month for a fun-filled evening of music and self-expression.Tonight’s theme...

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Library Branch: North Port Library

Room: Veranda Room

Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Music in the Libraries

Let your inner star shine at Karaoke Night!
Join us at the North Port Library every fourth Tuesday of the month for a fun-filled evening of music and self-expression.

Tonight’s theme: Hits of the 80's!

Music | Love & Bossa Nova performed by Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar

Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library

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Gulf Gate Library is pleased to welcome Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar, whose captivating Bossa Nova performances have delighted audiences from Paris to London. Blending English a...

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Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room AB

Age Group: Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Off the Page Literary Celebration, Performances

Gulf Gate Library is pleased to welcome Daniela Soledade and Nate Najar, whose captivating Bossa Nova performances have delighted audiences from Paris to London.

Audiobooks Come Alive!

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library

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Have you ever wondered how audiobooks come alive? Author Tamara Lush leads a panel of audiobook narrators Melissa Moran and Aaron Shedlock to share all the behind the scenes of aud...

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Library Branch: Selby Library

Room: Jack J. Geldbart Auditorium

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Author Event, Book Discussions, Cultural Life

Have you ever wondered how audiobooks come alive? Author Tamara Lush leads a panel of audiobook narrators Melissa Moran and Aaron Shedlock to share all the behind the scenes of audiobook creations.

Fun with Flowers for Mothers Day

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library

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Led by the Sarasota Garden Club, children and teens can make their own floral arrangements to give to a mother, grandmother, or anyone they want to celebrate this Mother’s Day! &nb...

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Registration Open

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room AB

Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Program Type: Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning

Registration Required

Led by the Sarasota Garden Club, children and teens can make their own floral arrangements to give to a mother, grandmother, or anyone they want to celebrate this Mother’s Day! Best for ages 5-18. Registration required.

Resume Workshop

Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Community Room at William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

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Learn how to write a standout resume and discover all the free resources that Sarasota County Libraries have to help you on your career journey! Whether you are just starting to pu...

Registration Open

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

Room: Community Room

Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Career Journeys, Job Search Assistance, Lectures

Registration Required

Learn how to write a standout resume and discover all the free resources that Sarasota County Libraries have to help you on your career journey!

SRQ Con 2026

Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00am - 4:00pm

Selby Library

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Join us for the annual pop culture convention at Selby Library, SRQCon! Activities will be held throughout the library including a scavenger hunt, button making, and more. Ven...

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Library Branch: Selby Library

Age Group: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families

Program Type: Art Displays & Exhibits, Arts & Crafts, Author Event, Creation Station, Games, History & Culture, Lectures, Performances, Special Events, Summer Learning

Join us for the annual pop culture convention at Selby Library, SRQCon!

Music | Dr. Pete Carney presents Jazz from West Side Story

Monday, June 8, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Meeting Room AB at Gulf Gate Library

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Gulf Gate Library is pleased to welcome Dr. Pete Carney, Director of Jazz Studies at State College of Florida, for a dynamic lecture‑concert exploring the jazz from West Side Story...

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Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room AB

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Lectures, Music in the Libraries, Performances

Gulf Gate Library is pleased to welcome Dr. Pete Carney, Director of Jazz Studies at State College of Florida, for a dynamic lecture‑concert exploring the jazz from West Side Story. Dr.

Summer Finale: Mini Golf

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Veranda Room at North Port Library

Summer Learning:

This event is one of this year's Summer Learning programs. Check out all of the fun programs at all of our library locations. There's something for everyone!

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Celebrate the end of summer with a professional mini golf experience. Navigate through creatively themed course holes designed to spark your imagination and inspire a love for read...

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Library Branch: North Port Library

Room: Veranda Room

Age Group: Youth, Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years), New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors, Families, All Ages

Program Type: Special Events, Summer Learning

Celebrate the end of summer with a professional mini golf experience. Navigate through creatively themed course holes designed to spark your imagination and inspire a love for reading. All ages are welcome, with no prior experience necessary.

Filters

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

10:15am–11:15am

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Games, Lifelong Learning

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.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

10:15am–11:15am

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room B

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room B

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Busy Little Hands Activity Hour

10:30am–11:30am

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Story Time Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Story Time Room

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Games, Lifelong Learning

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

Socrates Cafe

10:30am–11:30am

Adults, Seniors

Conference Room B

Library Branch: Selby Library

Room: Conference Room B

Age Group: Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning

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.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

12:00pm–1:00pm

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Games, Lifelong Learning

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

12:00pm–1:00pm

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room B

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room B

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Adult Coloring

2:00pm–3:30pm

New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Conference Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Conference Room

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning

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.

Read with the Dogs

4:00pm–5:00pm

Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)

Meeting Room B

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room B

Age Group: Youth, Children (5 to 9 years), Tweens (9 to 12 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

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.

ROAR! on the Road with The Ringling

4:30pm–5:30pm

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Families

Meeting Room II

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

Room: Meeting Room II

Age Group: Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years), Families

Program Type: Art Displays & Exhibits, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning, Storytimes

ROAR! is The Ringling's free storytime that connects art with early literacy. At this program, we read together, make art, and learn about an object in the museum.

Teen Craft Zone: Shrinky Dinks

5:30pm–6:30pm

Teens (13 to 18 years)

Teen Zone

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Teen Zone

Age Group: Teens (13 to 18 years)

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Lifelong Learning

Take a colorful drawing and shrink it down to be a charm, keychain, jewelry, accessory, or decoration all your own!

For ages 10-18.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

10:15am–11:15am

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room B

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room B

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Introduction to Italian, week 3

10:30am–11:30am

Adults, Seniors

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning

This six-week course is designed to introduce you to the Italian language. You will learn essential elements such as basic phrases, the alphabet, counting, and fundamental grammar.

Musical Motion

10:30am–11:30am

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room II

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

Room: Meeting Room II

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes

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

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

12:00pm–1:00pm

Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room B

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Meeting Room B

Age Group: Youth, Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Arts & Crafts: Heralds of Spring and Springtime Trees

2:00pm–4:00pm

New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Learning Lab

Library Branch: Gulf Gate Library

Room: Learning Lab

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Arts & Crafts, Creation Station, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning

A harbinger of spring, a nester for you to paint. As this is a 2-part class, the second half will be a watercolor springtime tree painting. This is the follow up lesson to the autumn tree watercolor painting that we did this fall.

Art Night

4:00pm–7:00pm

Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years)

Storytime Room

Library Branch: William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library

Room: Storytime Room

Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years), Children (5 to 9 years)

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Lifelong Learning

Drop-in and create! Each week will feature a specific craft. Examples and supplies provided.

Unleashing Imagination: Art Media Week 4

4:30pm–5:30pm

Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Program Room

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library

Room: Program Room

Age Group: Tweens (9 to 12 years), Teens (13 to 18 years)

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Career Journeys, Healthy Living, Lifelong Learning

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!

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library Book Club

6:00pm–7:00pm

New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Meeting Room II

Library Branch: Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library

Room: Meeting Room II

Age Group: New Adult (18-30 years), Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Book Discussions, Discussion Groups, Lifelong Learning

Join us in-person as we discuss "The Spectator Bird" by Wallace Stegner for our monthly Book Club!

Copies of the book will be available at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

10:15am–11:15am

Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Games, Lifelong Learning

Learn and Play Storytime

11:00am–11:30am

Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Youth Program Room

Library Branch: Selby Library

Room: Youth Program Room

Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Storytimes

Join your friends for stories, rhymes, sign language, and other activities in this story time for babies and toddlers.

Disclaimer(s)

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net/ADA.

Forty Carrots: Partners in Play

12:00pm–1:00pm

Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Babies (Birth to 1 year), Toddlers (1 to 3 years), Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning

Agency Site

1:30pm–2:30pm

Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Offsite Event

Library Branch: Pop-Up Library

Age Group: Youth, Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Program Type: Lifelong Learning, Outreach, Storytimes

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

Brain Health 101

2:00pm–3:30pm

Adults, Seniors

Meeting Room

Library Branch: Elsie Quirk Library

Room: Meeting Room

Age Group: Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Active Older Adult Living, Healthy Living, Lifelong Learning

Everything we do begins in the brain.

Paint Away VII: Create a Full-On Monet in this Paint Away (afternoon session)

2:00pm–3:30pm

Adults, Seniors

Story Time Room

Waitlist

Registration Required

Waitlist

Library Branch: Shannon Staub Library

Room: Story Time Room

Age Group: Adults, Seniors

Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Cultural Life, Lifelong Learning

Registration Required

Join us for a fun, informative session of freestyle art. This session will kick off with a brief intro to Claude Monet, the French painter and founder of Impressionism.

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Primary tabs

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Forty Carrots Partners in Play

Disclaimer(s)

Disclaimer(s)

Disclaimer(s)