Last week was the grand kick-off for the Sarasota County Library Summer Reading Program, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!” This program will run through August 12 and is open to all ages. In addition to that, we are also offering a fun way to earn free baseball tickets. “Read Your Way to the Ballpark is being offered at the Elsie Quirk Public Library in partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Reading with the Rays program encourages students in grades Pre-K through 12 to read this summer and to visit the library regularly. By reading books this summer, students can circle the bases and collect prizes as they go. Students who make it all the way around to home will earn a certificate of completion signed by Evan Longoria and the ultimate reward of two tickets to see the Tampa Bay Rays in action at Tropicana Field! You can pick up your Reading with the Rays game card at your local library.
Here are the library events for this week:
Today
- Suncoast Long Writer’s Guild will meet at 10:30 am today.
Monday
- Forty Carrots’ Partners in Play is a free class for caregivers and children to enjoy together from 10:15 am to 11 am or 11:15 am to noon. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- Free Lunch Summer Break Spot is 12 pm to 12:45 pm and open to youth 18 and under. No registration required.
- Read with the Dogs is 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and open to ages 5 and up. Younger children may participate if accompanied by a caregiver. Practice your reading and communication skills by reading with certified pet therapy dogs from Suncoast Humane Society. The dogs love the attention and the kids love the interaction!
- Our Monday Night Movie starts at 5 pm. This week’s selection is about a young man, falsely imprisoned by his jealous “friend” but escapes and uses a hidden treasure to exact his revenge. (PG-13, 2 hrs. 11 mins., 2002).
- Neighborhood Rezoning Workshop starts at 6 pm. Residents are invited to discuss vision planning and development services regarding the proposed 2.6 acre rezoning on S.R. 776 from RSF-2 to OPI and waiver from S.R. 776 Corridor Plan.
Tuesday
- Drop in for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County from 10 am to noon. For more information, call 941-861-1307 or visit, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/horthelp.shtml.
- On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! It’s a Jungle Out There! Explore the jungle through stories, music, activities and crafts. This program starts at 10:30 am and is open to children ages 5 through 11.
- Free Lunch Summer Break Spot is 12 pm to 12:45 pm and open to youth 18 and under. No registration required.
- Summer Shutterbugs Camera Club meets at 12:30 pm to share and learn photography.
- Science Explorations: Bubble Magic! This program is 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and open to ages 4 through 11. Enjoy hands-on fun while learning basic science concepts. Registration is required and limited to 15 participants.
Wednesday
- Knitting Basics for Youth is from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and open to youth ages 8 and up. Learn the basics of knitting. Participants must bring their own supplies. Registration is required and limited to 10 children.
- Free Lunch Summer Break Spot is 12 pm to 12:45 pm and open to youth 18 and under. No registration required.
- Teen Advisory Board (TAB) meets at 5:30 pm and is open to ages 11 through 18. Join the group and provide input on upcoming library programs. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Young Adult Librarian Deirdre Morrow at dmorrow@scgov.net.
- Teen Game Night is 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and open to ages 9 through 18. Gaming systems and games will be provided. No registration required.
Thursday
- Our weekly Family Storytime starts at 10:30 am. This week’s theme is, Let’s Dance!
- Free Lunch Summer Break Spot is 12 pm to 12:45 pm and open to youth 18 and under. No registration required.
- The Knitting Club will meet to knit and chat from 1 pm to 3 pm.
- Englewood Peace Initiative Coalition meets at 3:30 pm to discuss relevant peace topics.
Friday
- Free Lunch Summer Break Spot is 12 pm to 12:45 pm and open to youth 18 and under. No registration required.
- Leather Bracelets for Teens is 1 pm to 3 pm and open to ages 13 through 18. Teens will learn the art of leather bracelet making. Registration is required and open to 12 participants.
For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at www.scgov.net/library.