Week Calendar

This club welcomes adult writers of all experience levels to engage in creative discussions, participate in writing prompts, and attend workshops led by experienced writers.

Want to learn more about Florida-Friendly gardens, composting, or citrus trees?  Need a plant or an insect identified?  On the first and the third Monday mornings of the month, from 10am to 12 pm, Gulf Gate Library hosts the Master Garde

A representative from All Faiths Food Bank will be available to help with your SNAP application. 

Appointments are preferred but not required. 

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 Mondays of the month for adult coloring!  We supply the coloring pages and the pencils. Snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library. Hope to see you there.

On the first and third Tuesday of each month, the Pop-Up will be at the Town Center Green of Longboat Key with books for all ages and a Storytime for children at 10:30 AM. Swing by to sign up for a library card and read a book with us!

Use 1 of 5 Brother sewing machines on Your Own Project. Must Know How to Sew.  Machines Available on first come first serve basis.

Join us for a program that combines daily tummy time with engaging sensory stations. Babies will explore textures and visuals that promote motor skills development, sensory development and cognitive growth.

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 the Pop-Up library staff at The Longboat Key Town Center Green for stories, songs and rhymes, and more!

Come sing and play along to children's songs with music therapist Jill Brown. From modern favorites, to old time sing-a-longs, there's sure to be something for everyone!

What time is it? It's library time! Join us in the youth area for stories, songs and rhymes, fun activities, and a craft. Best for ages 0-5, but the whole family is welcome!

Come to learn the art of rolling beeswax candles and enjoy a safer, eco-friendly alternative to traditional paraffin wax candles. 

Registration required.

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

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.

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 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. 

Join world traveler, Jane Mahler, for an adventure in the Galápagos Islands!

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

Every baby can be a library baby!

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 Pop-Up will be at The Bay Park in Sarasota with books for all ages and storytimes for children at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM.

Please join us for the monthly meeting of The Genealogical Society of Sarasota.  A different guest speaker is featured each month.

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. 

Join the Pop-Up library staff at The Bay Park for stories, songs and rhymes, and more!

This free storytime program engages toddlers, preschoolers, and primary school students in activities that connect art and early literacy. Join us for a story and accompanying art activity based on a work of art in the museum collection.

Get assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteers

Bring your questions

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. 

Make a unique piece of art using household and found items to have your piece displayed in the library

Join the Pop-Up library staff at The Bay Park for stories, songs and rhymes, and more!

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.

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.

Socrates Cafe 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

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 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.

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.

Jam and learn with your teen teacher, Anni Szantosi, and her numerous instruments! This club is for music lovers who want to learn to play an instrument or find people who enjoy music. 

Join us for a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about the history and mysteries of Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

This program will be a Zoom lecture with a library staff member available to facilitate audience questions.

Get genealogy research assistance from knowledgeable and experienced volunteers.

Bring your questions!

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!

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

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.

Many people want to grow more of their own food, but do not consider our unique climate when starting a garden. While we may be unable to grow apples, cherries, and pears, we can grow tropical edibles 48 other states cannot.

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

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.

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

Improve your Spanish by joining the group.

For teens and adults.

While away springtime hours with us as we decorate birdhouses and make pine flowers.  "Bee" warned...we will be painting.  First come, first seated.

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

While away springtime hours with us as we decorate birdhouses and make pine flowers.  "Bee" warned...we will be painting.  First come, first seated.

Drop by the library to explore the world of color with watercolor paints. The only goal here is to get the paint on the paper, so come with your creativity cap on! 

Have you always wanted to play Dungeons & Dragons? Now's the chance! This group, open to teens, is here to be just that. Our first meeting will begin with a session 0 to determine how often we want to meet, and create our characters.

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

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.

Reflect and engage as you explore multi-media art. This art-form is accessible to everyone, and encourages creative expression and conversations.

Self-care and maintenance will be enhanced through meditation, guided imagery and breathing techniques.

Help keep track of where you stopped reading in a book by making your own bookmark! At this lab, you will learn how to make a corner bookmark, and get to decorate it with an axolotl to encourage you to read "-a-lotl". 

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.

Use the Force to help the rebels escape from the evil Empire. Navigate puzzles and test your wits and teamwork along the way. This immersive escape room experience combines creativity, problem-solving and fun in an unforgettable adventure.

Chanteuse and musician Tahja will perform a selection of classic French songs made famous by icons such as Edith Piaf, Patricia Kaas, Joe Dassin, Jacques Brel, Lara Fabian, and Dalida, accompanied by her French co-host and emcee, Pierre.

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.

Use the Force to help the rebels escape from the evil Empire. Navigate puzzles and test your wits and teamwork along the way. This immersive escape room experience combines creativity, problem-solving and fun in an unforgettable adventure.

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.

Read for at least 10 minutes in our "lounge" and enjoy a sweet treat as a reward. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

Join us for the Friday Afternoon Monthly Book Discussion. Every 2nd Friday of the month.

Newcomers are always welcome. Please inquire about a copy of the book at the Information Desk.

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 Ms. Adrianne in her Fun To Be Fit BIGS Class full of dancing, fitness games, and a whole lot of fun! For ages 6 - 12.

Join us tweens and teens on the first Monday of every month to watch Anime and try Japanese drinks and /or snacks.

If you like writing your own pieces or would like to grow your creativity, come join us for our Teen Writers Club!  Enhance your writing skills, participate in free-writing exercises and get feedback on written work.

This workshop is intended to provide residents with important information on stormwater management, ongoing projects, and hurricane preparedness in the Little Sarasota Bay Watershed.

LEGO Club is back! Join us every other Tuesday in the Creation Station 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.

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

Break the mainframe and learn to code! 

Come to listen or to play at this bi-monthly open mic jazz jam session for amateur performers. No registration is required. Bring your instrument, and if you would like to play, you may sign up when you arrive.

Tired of traditional journals for sale? Want a journal cover that expresses you and your interests? Well have no fear, decoupage is here!

Come join us tweens and teens in decoupaging journal covers with your creative visions!

Want to play chess? Can’t find someone or somewhere to play? 

Open to chess players of all ages and abilities. Chess boards and pieces will be provided. 

First & Fourth Tuesday of every month. 5 - 7 p.m.

The Sarasota Piano Trio presents a special program featuring Ukranian Clarinetist Yurii Padkovski in two rarely performed quartets by Walter Rabl and Peter Schickele 

Yurii Padkovski, clarinet 

Milene Moreira, violin