Week Calendar

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. 

Come join us for a fun time of playing and learning with varying toys and activities. Recommended for ages 0-5 and their caregivers.

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.

In the event of an emergency, would you be able to help? Learn from a Sarasota Memorial Trauma Expert about how to recognize a life-threatening bleed and how to intervene effectively.

Registration required.

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.

Join instructor Gayle Berthiaume and discover how to turn everyday moments into beautiful memories—right from your iPhone!

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!

Stop by the Health in Motion Bus to talk to a nurse with the Florida Health Department with any questions you might have!

No appointment 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 for stories, songs and rhymes, fun activities, and a craft. Best for ages 0-5, but the whole family is welcome!

Join us and learn how to make a No Sew Quilted Ornament.

All materials will be provided. Ages 13 and up.

Must Know How to Sew. 

Registration is Required and will open on 7/1/2025

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.

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.

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.

Join us for a monthly cozy catch-up!

For infants to five years, attending with caregiver. This class includes simple stories, nursery rhymes, songs, fingerplays, and movement. 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. 

Explore extreme temperatures from freezing cold dry ice, to super hot rocket fuel, showing how science can be so cool, and yet very hot.

Color Your Landscape: The Magic of Caladiums Class being presented by Ashley Ellis. 

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

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

Join presenter Adrianne Pezzella for a special music and movement program especially for children and their caregivers to attend together. Enjoy quality time together singing, dancing, getting some exercise, and having fun!

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.

Every third Saturday of the month, this program will focus on a famous artist. Children will learn about famous artists and their methods and create their own masterpieces based on the style of that artist.

The Suncoast Writers Guild has been helping people develop the craft of writing for 35 years as a safe place to share stories and poems, get feedback, and build connections.

Every Second Sunday the Sarasota Art Museum offers a free admission community day where visitors can not only view the exhibits but also participate in family friendly art classes.

From scientist to photographer & boat captain to educator, explore a variety of careers found at Mote Marine Laboratory and learn what it takes to start a career in the marine science field! For ages 11-20.

This preschool-aged story time is led by a library staff member. Enjoy a variety of stories, songs, rhymes, and fun activities!

Social Emotional Learning made FUN! Imagine a group of kids, smiling and drumming together, dancing with their peers and celebrating drum circles TOGETHER!

Get expert and experienced genealogy research assistance.

Bring your questions

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

Bring your questions!

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

A fun interactive, educational time for families of all abilities to interact with sensory items and games.

Children must have a guardian accompany them! 

Play with toys and enjoy being social with friends!

Paint, collage and draw an art piece as part of a larger mural that will be photographed.  Artists will get to take their piece home and also receive a digital copy of the mural photo.

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.

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

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the Juliano room on weekdays from 12-1pm.  

Join us on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 12 p.m. for a free one-hour lecture and Q&A to learn about the true significance of Bastille Day.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the Juliano room on weekdays from 12-1pm.  

Color your world with a variety of materials including colored pencils, glitter pens, and markers, and choose from an array of beautiful coloring sheets or doodle your own!

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.

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.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the Juliano room on weekdays from 12-1pm.  

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 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.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the Juliano room on weekdays from 12-1pm.  

This 6-part workshop is designed to introduce new players to the world of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D).

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.

Free lunches for anyone up to age 18 will be served in the Juliano room on weekdays from 12-1pm.  

The chess club is an opportunity to play friendly games of chess in a low-stress environment. All levels are welcome to join.

For teens/adults. First come, first seated.

Join Kelly Ward from the Florida Department of Health in this neuroscience researched-based workshop to learn how to fuel and activate your brain for optimal performance throughout all life stages. 

Come and get assistance from experienced and knowledgeable volunteer genealogists.

Bring your questions!

Health Department will be offering free A1-C testing

Come ready for an afternoon of creativity and dive into a world of color through arts and crafts! Learn some origami basics, make your own fidget toys and create an art project with instructor Janessa Tamsett. 

Drop in to create your own tote bag using fabric paint and press-on vinyl designs with our Cricut Easy Press!

Registration is required and limited to 20 participants ages 5-18.  One name per registration please.

Draw your own designs or explore printmaking with premade designs, then learn how to carve your chosen design into a linoleum pad. The design will be a single layer (one color).

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.

Bring your best moves as we play an exciting round of Among the Shelves, a live-action videogame. Players will complete challenges to uncover the imposters that are hiding in the library.

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.

Participants will create a scribbling art robot with markers for legs.

Space is limited. 

Recommended ages 9+ 

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.

Learn to weave and create a small weaving on a cardboard loom. Use yarns and fabrics to create patterns. Weaving can be turned into a bookmark or a mug rug or a beautiful wall hanging. Beads can be added to the fringe.

Dive into the enchanting world of Magic: The Gathering this summer! Join us every monday afternoon from 2-4 PM for our weekly free play sessions.

Come join us Teens and Tweens for a beginning yoga class that will teach you basic yoga and breathing exercises that can be used in your everyday life. 

Join us and learn how to play traditional drum music. Drums provided. Space is limited. Get tickets at the youth desk from 1 p.m. For all ages.

Get tips on healthy eating and meal ideas during the Food Smarts program.

Come and learn how to use the Cricut cutting machine and make some beautiful pomanders too!  

All material provided. First come, first seated.

Please Register for Matter of Balance! You only need to sign up for the FIRST offering, this program is a series.

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.

Join us for Color Our World, a hands-on mixed media and collaging workshop at the Sarasota Library that explores the mesmerizing art of cyanotypes, an alternative photographic process.

Another year is in full swing at Camp Shannon Staub... but there are some strange occurrences taking place in the dead of night leading to reports of fellow campers being attacked.

Mini looms will be used to weave colorful rows of colorful yarns and fabrics. 

Registrants of any skill level are welcome to come and weave on handheld looms to create a mini colorful wall hanging.

Tweens and Teens will use small gems to "paint" stickers.

Ages 12+

Make an inspired junk journal with Kat Sjogren! This class is for tweens and teens.

Chris Kahl takes audiences on a historical journey through the state, featuring performances of songs covering a wealth of historical events, characters, and folklore with in-depth storytelling about Ponce de Leon's voyage to Florida in 1513, Henr

Something smells fishy, but it won't be your cooking! Are you intimidated by seafood? These tips, hints, and recipes from Chef Warren Caterson will take the mystery and frustration out of cooking this healthy entree.

Learn how to weave on a cardboard loom with this exclusive art class provided by local artist Elizabeth Goodwill!  Best for ages 7-12. Registration required.

Come and learn how to use the Cricut cutting machine and make some beautiful pomanders too!  

All material provided. First come, first seated.

Make an inspired junk journal with Kat Sjogren! This class is for teens and adults.

Join local artist Karalee Hammes for an inspiring and interactive Watercolor Class designed for aspiring young artists!

Combine circuitry with some creativity in this STEM based youth lab. Discover the magic of creating circuits using simple materials and create a card that spins.

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

Wii U, virtual reality, and more! 

Meets 3:30-5:30 p.m. on the 1st Monday of the month except holidays.

Come play and create with our collection of rubber stamps, and learn how to make art using your own unique thumbprint!

Calling all families with readers! Our dog friends from the Suncoast Humane Society are returning to the Jacaranda Library, and they want you to read to them!