Week Calendar

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

 Tai Chi Easy

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 in the Community Room to make a Valentines Day Paper Craft. 

Learn sign language using books, rhymes, and songs followed by a special play time. 

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Learn how to make your own microwavable heat pack using simple materials that hold and retain heat, as well as dried herbs for aromatherapy. Sewing machines will be available if you'd like to learn how to make a heat pack from scratch.

Come and get assistance with your genealogy research from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers

Tax help provided by AARP. 

AARP will be taking appointments starting Jan. 24 - 26, 2023

Tax help appointments will be held Feb. 1 - April 13, 2023

Ages 0 - 5, attending with caregiver. Storytime includes themed stories, songs and a craft.

The theme is Love Your Library for the month of February!  

Registration is required as space is limited.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

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.

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.

John Goodman Performance and Lecture Series

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

Do you want help with...

eBooks, movies, eAudiobooks

Email how-to

Using your device

Library Database Resources

Cyber Security Questions

Printing Questions

or something else? 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library's front desk.

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

Bring your questions and get assistance from a knowledgeable volunteer.

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.

Tax help provided by AARP. 

AARP will be taking appointments starting Jan. 24 - 26, 2023

Tax help appointments will be held Feb. 1 - April 13, 2023

Prescription Assistance for income qualified individuals.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

The Great Books Discussion Group meets the 1st Thursday of each month, November through April. We will finish reading selections from the Great Books Foundation's Great Conversations 5 and then start with Great Conversations 1.

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.

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. 

Let's walk and talk about books! After meeting at the library, we will explore the trail at Woodmere Park (see attached map).

Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring drinking water

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

Ages 0 - 5, attending with caregiver. Family Playtime is a drop-in self guided program where children can explore our toy collection.

Join Amy the Hoop Lady and enjoy playing fun preschool games with music and hula hoops. Recommended for ages 2-6.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

AARP is providing free tax preparation at the Shannon Staub Library again this year. The tax returns will be prepared by IRS-certified tax counselors.

Stroll through our Reading Garden with your little one as YOU become the storyteller. Enjoy a different book the first Saturday of every month!

In case of rain, Story Trail will be set up in the Kids' Zone.

Drop in and crochet! Beginners and experienced crocheters welcome. Bring your own supplies or use ours. Recommended for ages 9 and up.

Meeting spot will vary. Please ask at a service desk for today's location.

--- ADVANCE APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

Come explore the different options in our Open Lab using self-guided time in the Creation Station. Available equipment includes Cricut Air Explore 2, 3D printing, sewing machines, button makers and more.

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

Participate in a fun exercise program for you and your little ones.

Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Come to the youth desk 30 minutes before the program for a ticket.

Join Floody the Frog to talk about what to do when it floods! How to be prepared and what to do during a flood. Special Guest Floody the Frog will be here to help you become a Flood Hero!

Join us in kicking off Lemon Bay Fest 2023 with a Florida-themed double feature.  We'll start with "Patrick Smith's Florida: A Sense of Place" and follow that with "Cracker: The Last Cowboys of Florida".&nbsp

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Bringing a baby into the world can fill our hearts with joy and love, and our minds with questions and wonder.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

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.

A variety of writings and speeches will be reviewed and presented by Ed Dwyer, PhD.

Wednesday, 1 February 2023: 12:30 - 1:30pm: Black Poets I 

Wednesday, 15 February 2023: 12:30 - 1:30pm: Black Poets II

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

For mobile babies to 5 years old. Drop in to enjoy a special uninterrupted playtime with your child in our FREE Partners in Play® (PIP) groups. Meet our friendly Parenting Educators and discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand.

For mobile babies to 5 years old.

Interested in drawing but don't know where to start or what to start out using? Already sketching and doodling but looking for a different setting?

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!

--- 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.

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.

Know your flood and hurricane zones. Examine where it can flood and how to be prepared. Learn tips on building and insurance policies.

Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Pick up a ticket starting 30 minutes before the program.

Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room at the Venice Public Library. When Blaise, the Teen Librarian, is in there will be crafts, video games, board games and more! 

At every Time to Be Loud, we will always have: food, coloring, puzzles, beading, origami, fidget toys, food, games, button (pin) making, Mario Cart (etc.) on the Switch and food.

Yes, there will be bubbles.

Come hang out with your friends in the Teen Room at the Venice Public Library. When Blaise, the Teen Librarian, is in there will be crafts, video games, board games and more! 

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

LAST Stop is a drop-in program designed for teens in 6th through 12th grade to participate in fun activities, talk with friends, have snacks, and play games. The program is open to any teen who agrees to follow the Teen Room Code of Conduct.

Join us as the Arts and Cultural Alliance Play Readers present a dramatic reading of selected excerpts from this year’s One Book selection "The Personal Librarian," by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

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 the Friends of Gulf Gate Library.

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

LAST Stop is a drop-in program designed for teens in 6th through 12th grade to participate in fun activities, talk with friends, have snacks, and play games. The program is open to any teen who agrees to follow the Teen Room Code of Conduct.

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

LAST Stop is a drop-in program designed for teens in 6th through 12th grade to participate in fun activities, talk with friends, have snacks, and play games. The program is open to any teen who agrees to follow the Teen Room Code of Conduct.

We get it. Valentine's Day is not for everyone, so for those of you who don't care for the holiday try your hand at making Anti-Valentine Day Pincushion Dolls. Learn basic sewing skills as you create a monstrous stuffie.

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. 

Learn new skills to create crafts or compete against your friends using STEAM and Creation Station equipment. For tweens ages 9-14.

Join us to make a Valentine's Day card or craft for a loved one!

Unfortunately, our therapy dog, Bently, will be unable to join us. We will still have a movie, scavenger hunt, and DogMan trivia! 

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.

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

A different project every week!

Ages 6+.

Financial Literacy is an important Skills for Life, and now is your chance to learn all about it.

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

Play the classic role-playing game with a new group of players/adventurers.

This month's book is The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse by Bruce Hale. Snacks and drinks will be served. Please pick up a copy of the book at the youth desk to read before the meeting.

Join us for our monthly Movie Night for the family.  Tonight we will be watching Sing 2 (PG): The ever-optimistic koala, Buster Moon, and his all-star cast of performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet, all in the

Join us for Family Game Night in the Storytime Room on Tuesdays from 5 - 7.

Various board games/tabletop games will be available.

Enjoy some award winning international films with English subtitles. This month we will be showing "La La Land" (2016), directed by Damien Chazelle.

We'll be exploring the 3D printer in this fun program. Not only how it works but how to create and build your own item to be printed by first using the program TinkerCAD and then by connecting it to the actual printer. 

Experience the feeling of a drive-in movie out in the parking lot at Elsie Quirk Library.  Come and enjoy a feature-length movie on our outdoor screen while listening through your car radio!  Bring your own snacks and beverages.&nbs