Week Calendar

Discover a vibrant community gathering at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market, nestled within the scenic Phillippi Estate Park. This seasonal market, open every Wednesday from October through April from 9 a.m.

Get genealogy research assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.

Bring your questions!

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.

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. 

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 the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month for adult coloring! We supply the coloring pages and the pencils.

Join us and learn how to Sew an Origami Basket.

Registration is Required

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.

Join us to decorate your very own cookies with the Cookie Cottage! No experience or materials required.

Registration required.

This workshop is for those who are new to using a computer or want to build more confidence using Microsoft Windows.

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

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 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.

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 moderated by Ellen Bilangi, meets the 1st Thursday of each month, December through April. Reading selections will be from the Great Books Foundation's 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. 

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

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.

Squish, shape, and roll! Meet a new playdough pal and have fun molding and sculpting together. The library will provide the tools and playdough. Creativity can be messy so please dress appropriately. 

Ready to rock? Join us for a fun and family-friendly 6-week guitar class designated for complete beginners! Learn to play some of your favorite songs while making music and memories.

Every third Saturday of the month, this program aims to inspire a love for reading and learning new things. Fun and engaging stories are followed by arts and crafts and other activities. Please register both caregiver and child.

Join us for an enjoyable craft session in the Veranda Room at the North Port Public Library! It will be a fun time of learning and building new crafting skills.

Every Second Sunday the Sarasota Art Museum offers a free, community day where visitors can not only see exhibits but also participate in family friendly art classes! Come see the libraries at our information table and grab a craft to work on!

A storytime for preschool aged children that is filled with opportunities to wiggle our wobbles away! Join a library staff member and fellow storytime friends for stories, rhymes, and other fun activities!

Get expert and experienced genealogy research assistance.

Bring your questions

Chair Yoga with Didi McKay!

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.  

Join your friends for stories, rhymes, sign language, and other activities. 

This is best suited for toddlers aged 1-3, but all ages are welcome as needed. 

Every third Saturday of the month, children are invited to read with certified pet therapy dogs. This program encourages conversation and develops reading and communication skills.

Already know a few chords or continuing from Beginner 1? Let's take your guitar skills to the next level!

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

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.

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 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.

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.

Learn to play Mah Jongg in this 4-week series. Please plan to attend all four sessions, and cancel your registration if you cannot come so that people on the waitlist can come. 

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.

Join us for this two-part class to learn the basics of pine needle basket weaving!

Join us as we discuss "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb for our monthly Book Club!

Copies of the book will be available through the Sarasota County Libraries catalog. 

Suminigashi is a Japanese printmaking technique that dates back to the 12th century. The printmaking technique will be demonstrated at the beginning of the workshop.

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. Crochet Amigurumi kits will be provided while supplies last.

Play Mah Jongg with other experienced players in the Rotunda and make new friends! Please bring your own NMJL card with your name on it.

Join us for this two-part class to learn the basics of pine needle basket weaving!

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.

A woman of mystery, a socialite, and a noted philanthropist, Mable Ringling was one of the most glamorous settlers in the Sarasota area during the 1920s.

The Death Cafe returns to the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library every third Saturday of the month! Join us for an open discussion about death and life, dying, end-of life topics and their place in our lives. Come and share.

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

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

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to learn a new skill, the is the perfect activity for you! We'll be teaching the basics of how to use a sewing machine to sew your own apron, no pattern 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.

Drop by the teen room and watch this week's requested movie. Add more wishlist movies to our clipboard request page in the teen room!

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

Make this simple basket from just two pieces of decorative fabric and pompom trim. These baskets have multiple uses and are great for gifting.

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

The town of Venice, Florida was incorporated in 1926, but the history of its settlement stretches back much farther and involves a whole cast of fascinating characters. Join Dr.

Ever wanted to learn how photographers compose the perfect shot? Curious about terms like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO? If so, then this program is for you!

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

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

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

This Storytime is meant for older children ages 5-8. There will be stories, fun activities, and a volunteer-only read aloud time. 

Please note, Wednesdays and Saturdays of the same month will have the same book selections.

Our clay modeling program allows participants to explore their creativity and express themselves through the art of shaping and molding clay. 

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.

Learn about unique Asian garden styles. Make a miniature Zen garden and take it home.

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.

Get ready for an epic night of fun and games at our Game Night.

Wii U, virtual reality, and more! 

Drop in to play games on our Nintendo Switch!

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Fruitville Library is excited to welcome Dr. Pete Carney, Director of Jazz Studies at State College of Florida for a series of lecture-concerts on four topics throughout jazz history. Join Dr.

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.

Come hear the Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Sweet Fleet.

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.

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.

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  

Drop by the Creation Station to learn about some of the different equipment we have available! Equipment demo only.

Unleash your creativity in a supportive space!

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.

Join Melina and learn how to make your own paper creation! Instructions and supplies provided, just bring your imagination! 

Want to get more involved with the library?

Learn basic skills you can use to defend yourself and avoid dangerous situations. Another class is scheduled for January 11th at 3:30 p.m.  This registration will allow you to attend both classes.

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 branch out and grow your creativity, come join us for our Teen Writers Club! We will be meeting weekly on Mondays @ 4 p.m. 

Ready to make a difference? Join your library’s environmental focus organization and be part of the change!

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!

Learn how to needle felt wool with Pop up Art School. Use a barbed needle and wool roving to create a felted hedgehog. In this beginner’s class, you’ll learn how to sculpt basic shapes and attach them together.

Start 2025 with a fun and stylish craft! Whether you need a custom dice bag for DnD or a cute new accessory, this no-sew project is perfect for you. Easy, creative, and no sewing skills required! 

Have you experienced hearing loss? Is it affecting how you communicate with friends and loved ones? Do you find it harder to ask questions or respond to questions at a store or a place of business?

Come and get one-on-one experienced and expert genealogy research assistance.

Bring your questions!

Start your new year in style! Design your own t-shirt with fabric marker and printing techniques, leave with a fab and fresh new design you can incorporate into your wardrobe.

Make marbled paper that you can use for cards and to make book covers on February 27th.

A bi-monthly open mic jazz jam session for amateur jazz performers and listeners.

Join us for the monthly Creation Station PM Craft Workshop. Each month, attendees will create an item themed for the month. Advance registration is required due to limited seats. This is a Friends of the Gulf Gate Library sponsored event.

Free Archaeology Lecture presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society:

January 15, 2025

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

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

Join us as we discuss "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb for our monthly Book Club!

Learn to write secret messages with invisible ink!