Week Calendar

The Great Decisions Group discusses timely international topics during eight Monday morning meetings from January 28 through March 25 (excluding Presidents Day).

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees? Need a plant or insect identified? On the first and third Monday mornings of every month, from 10:00 a.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.

Tax Help

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.

Please join guest speaker Lionel Olmer of The History Club for a presentation about Ernest Shackleton and the historic Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917.

This computer-based genealogy course covers the following topics: why study genealogy; how to get started; what sources are available; and how to organize and present your research.

Presenter Jim Clubb will talk about the incorporation of the town of Sarasota and share some fun facts about Englewood.

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

Are you financially fit? Come find out...the Foundation for Financial Education will guide us through the topics of:

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.

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.

Tax help. 

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

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.

Caregivers and children join in singing nursery song and folk son favorites.

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.

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.

Students who attend Part 1 will continue to research their family history on the second day in Part 2 during which the class instructor is available to answer questions and help the students in their research. Basic computer skills are required.

Books, puppets, songs, dance and more surprises. Geared for ages

3-5, but all are welcome to join the fun. Enjoy special guest Adrianne

Exciting research by archaeologists across Florida is shedding light on some of our state's earliest residents:  the Paleo-Indians.  This talk will explore what we know about Florida's first residents. 

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.

Tax Help.

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

Tax Help

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.

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

Learn to speak common Spanish phrases in a fun, relaxed environment.  This 8 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 greetin

Historians from the Historic Lampp House will present a talk about World War I veteran, Fred Kruea and the impact he made on the town of Englewood.

Live from the Archive: Songs from  the 1920s to the 1940s. Sponsored by the Sarasota Music Archive.

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.

After completing the Computer Basics, Part 1, the student is ready to use the skills learned to access software and learn about Toolbars and Ribbons. The basics of file creating and organizing will be demonstrated.

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.

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

Have extensively trained master gardeners answer your botanical questions on the first and third Thursday mornings of each month in study room C. 

Tax Help.

Please note AARP volunteers at the library begin assisting the final client of the day 30 minutes to one hour before the last time listed.

ArtCart celebrates Black History Month with black history hero magnets, Highwaymen and Basquiat mini paintings, African-inspired zentangle drawing and Gee's Bend paper quilts. Keep calm and create. 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.

The Great Books Discussion Group meets the 1st Thursday of each month, November through April. This group will be reading selections from the Great Books Foundation's Great Conversations 4.

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 2-3.

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

This six-week workshop introduces or deepens knowledge of mindful meditation, breath work and body alignment. it is designed for any person, regardless of age, body type, disability or gender.

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

Weekly meeting of the Venice French Club. 

Steve Burnett has returned to Venice Library to teach a Basic iPad/iPhone class on the second Friday of the month.

AARP is providing free tax help. It is requested that taxpayers bring photo ID, their Social Security card (or SSA 1099), and documentation to support their income and deductions.

ArtCart celebrates Black History Month with black history hero magnets, Highwaymen and Basquiat mini paintings, African-inspired zentangle drawing and Gee's Bend paper quilts. Keep calm and create. Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

For children 18 months to 5 years old and their caregivers. Interact with your child in a variety of early literacy activities including music, movement, stories, crafts and games.

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.

Author Charles Sobczak explores how humans can avoid putting themselves in harm's way and explains how statistically unlikely it is to be attacked by any one of these creatures.  He will also delve into the difference between New World and Ol

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.

This is the third of eight hour-long seminars to be given at Venice Library this season presented by experts from the nonprofit organization Foundation for Financial Education (F3E). Founded in 2009 as a result of an urgent need to eliminate

This month: Margaret Kapustiak: How Can Historical Societies Help Your Family Searches? 

Volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide Program will be available for free individual tax preparation and e-filing. Any age/income level welcome. Please bring a photo ID (required), and any other documents that apply.

Learn about important figures in history while playing a life-size version of the popular board game "Guess Who?" themed for Black History Month.

Recommended for ages 5+.

ArtCart celebrates Black History Month with black history hero magnets, Highwaymen and Basquiat mini paintings, African-inspired zentangle drawing and Gee's Bend paper quilts. Keep calm and create. Ask for the cart at the youth desk.

For ages 3-11.  Bilingual stories, songs, and activities.  Learn new words and practice language skills.  Presented by library volunteer, Lourdes Fuller.  Everyone welcome!

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.

For 2 1/2 to 5 years with caregivers. Join us for stories, rhymes, and music. Concludes with a craft.

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.

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 3-6.

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.

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, Jan. 25- May 3 with a break on Mar. 22

Interested in buying a new television but you don't know where to start? Interested in how various brands have evolved over the years? Want to know the difference between 480, 720, 1080, and 2K and 4K video?

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.

Are you in Grades 6-8 and need service hours for school? Club members should plan to attend the monthly meetings and assist with at least one additional program per month. A club agreement can be picked up at your first meeting.

Hear a Valentine's Day story, enjoy sweet treats, and make a craft celebrating the people you admire! 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.

Explore yoga with stories and a craft to promote mindfulness, listening skills and kindness. For ages 5-8 attending independently in the Youth Program Room.

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

The Chess Club meets every Tuesday from 12-4 in the computer lab. No registration required. 

Interested in finding out more about your family tree? Join us for this free instructional course on how to use library resources and databases to research your family history. Seating is limited. Registration is required. 

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.

Ask an E-Help volunteer for all your technology-related questions and predicaments. Held every Tuesday in the public meeting area.

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

Please join Cracked Walnuts for a program featuring music, trivia and humor of Al Jolson, Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, and other performers from the Vaudeville era.

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.

Laughter Yoga.

Volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide Program will be available for free individual tax preparation and e-filing. Any age/income level welcome. Please bring a photo ID (required), and any other documents that apply.

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

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.

Meet local author Virginia Czaja, who writes as Virginia Crane, on Friday, February 8 at 1 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Shannon Staub Library!

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

Drop in Valentine's Day Crafts for children with their caregivers from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your imagination to life with LEGO®! Come build machines, animals, architecture, monsters, and more every second Saturday of the month. LEGO pieces will be provided. For children ages 5-11.

Interested in learning how to become YouTube Famous? Get advice on how to start your own channel in this workshop for tweens and teens!

This is the year of the pig! Bring in the Lunar New Year with your Gulf Gate Library family! There will be a lion dance through the library and an opportunity to learn about Chinese culture with stories, crafts and traditional food.

This film includes fascinating stories of author, Patrick Smith's life, adventures, experiences and Florida's past which led him to write his novel, "A Land Remembered".

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.

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

Join us for this one-woman show! “Fanny Brice Tells All” a one woman show by Betty Comora. Beloved roaring 20’s entertainer, Fanny shares secret anecdotes about the “ups and downs” in her childhood, her career and her marriages.

David Kilbride will play guitar and sing popular songs from the '40s, '50s, and '60s.  Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.

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. 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.

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

A variety of writings and speeches will be reviewed and presented by Ed Dwyer, Phd.
Wed 6 Feb- Frederick Douglass: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

For more than 250 years, cowboys have ridden the plains of Central Florida. This film captures the beauty of the old ways with the drama of encroaching civilization.

Learn the fundamentals of sewing, from threading the machine to finishing touches. Make and take an item sewn by you! Materials are provided, class is free!  Limited to first 6 participants, first come, first served. 

The goal of the lecturers is to preserve the memory and promote the legacy of Jackie Robinson as an informal civil rights leader whose influence on America transcended the playing field.

literacy

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.

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

Join us for a enchanting performance by Mike Anderson the Dulcimer Guy. "The combination of music, storytelling, humor, and educational background has made Anderson one of the most sought after performers and speakers in the Midwest.

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.

Join us for an informal discussion with author and illustrator Suzanne Bloom. She will talk about the process of writing and illustrating picture books for children.

Are you a movie buff? Interested in watching critically acclaimed films and learning a little bit about the movie industry as well?

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns.

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, have snacks, play games, and more.

Baila Miller returns to VPL this season with four lectures on four artists who defined modern art.

John McCarthy, Director of Historic Spanish Point, will speak about the newly discovered 7,000 year old archaeological site, located near Manasota Key.

Find your inner peace with the Isha Foundation through Upa Yoga--gentle yoga techniques which can be done sitting or standing. All skill levels welcome. Participants are asked to bring their own yoga mats.

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