In Their Own Words

Patricia Pete of Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library on the Power of Libraries

"We want kids to know that this is a safe place for them to come.”

07/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Take a Look, It's in a Book

Sarasota County Picks 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' as 2025 One Book Selection

The book tells the story of Marcellus, a clever octopus, and his unexpected friendship with a grieving widow.

02/21/2025 By Staff

Essential Intelligence

Here Are the Authors Coming to Sarasota County's 2024 Off the Page Festival

Amor Towles, Chef Edward Lee, Curtis Sittenfeld and more.

10/21/2024 By Megan McDonald

Hit the Books

A New Longboat Key Library Is Planned for 2026

Town Center Green is Longboat’s next chapter, but there’s more to come.

10/27/2023 By Eric Garwood/Community News Collaborative

Off the Page

Authors Bring the 'Write Stuff' to Sarasota Literary Festival

Sarah MacLean, a romance novelist who loves historical fiction, is part of a panel taking part in the November event.

10/06/2023 By Catherine Hicks/Community News Collaborative

Imaginarium

Cosplayers Descended on Selby Library on Saturday. Here Are Some of the Best Costumes We Saw.

SRQ Con took over both floors of the library, elevating the space into an otherworldly expanse of imagination.

05/22/2023 Photography by Hannah Phillips By Bethany Ritz

A Global Affair

Celebrate African Cuisine at a Selby Library Cooking Class

Join chefs Alex Jordan and Erik Decker for an educational evening filled with tasty treats.

06/16/2022 By Lauren Jackson

Fast Track

Sarasota County Historical Resources Names New Manager

Joshua Goodman was previously archives historian at the State Archives of Florida in Tallahassee.

04/07/2022 By Staff

Philanthropy

Library Foundation Raises More Than $350,000 at Annual Author Luncheon

Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. was the featured speaker.

02/14/2022 By Staff

Free & Freeish

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing With These Free Arts Experiences

Free admission to the Ringling on Mondays, author talks at local bookstores, historic driving tours—there's something for everyone.

12/01/2021

STEAM

Library Foundation For Sarasota County Purchases 400 'MakeDo To Go' Kits

The kits encourage young people to imagine, design and create with a basic cardboard box.

08/26/2021 By Staff

Editors' Picks

What We're Loving in Sarasota This Month

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, there's much joy to be found.

02/06/2021 By The Editors

Books-a-Million

Sarasota Libraries to Reopen June 15

The Sarasota County library system is still encouraging patrons to reserve materials online and use the curbside pickup service.

06/04/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Library Updates

Sarasota County Libraries Receive Grant to Purchase Civics Books

The Life, Liberty + Libraries Grant will fund for democracy and civics books; Grow with Google provides free virtual classes.

06/02/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Media Picks

These Were the Top 5 E-Books Borrowed at Sarasota County Libraries in April

Murder, mayhem and old-fashioned romance ruled—online, of course.

05/04/2020 By Ilene Denton

Virtual Reality

Sarasota County Libraries Are Helping Us Stay Busy and Connected at Home

Miss taking trips to the library? There's a whole digital world to explore.

04/14/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Coronavirus

Sarasota County Libraries Helping Make Face Masks for County Employees

The county’s six Creation Stations allow library staff to safely make masks.

04/07/2020 By Staff

Let's Read

Sarasota County Libraries Team Up with Baltimore Orioles

The program encourages children to read three or more books during February and March to earn a free reserved grandstand ticket to an Orioles spring training game.

02/20/2020 By Staff

Wings of Hope

Butterflies of Hope & Remembrance Uses the 75th Anniversary of Holocaust Liberation as a Communitywide Teaching Tool

This year-long series will bring educational programs and events to the Sarasota-Manatee area.

02/03/2020 By Allison Forsyth

Books & Beyond

Sunday Hours Return to Two County Library Locations

The Selby and Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda public libraries will be open from 1-5 p.m. on Sundays starting Jan. 26.

01/08/2020 By Staff

Sarasota Magazine

Sarasota County Library System