The Sarasota County Libraries supports early learning and literacy in many ways through programs such as storytimes, puppet shows, art activities and science experiments. These types of programs and activities encourage parents to talk, sing, read, write and play with their child. Reading to infants, toddlers and preschoolers has been proven to benefit brain development and promote a lifelong interest in reading.
You can help develop a lifelong interest in reading and at the same time help prepare your child for kindergarten by reading together. Parents and children can participate in the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” challenge at Elsie Quirk Library. This free program is open to children ages birth to 5. The concept is simple, read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten.
To get started visit the Youth Services desk at the library to register and pick up your reading log. Each time you read a book together, fill in a circle on your log. Once you and your child have read 25 books, you can bring the log in for a sticker and then for every100 books read, your child will receive a small prize. When you have read 1,000 books your child will receive a certificate and a final prize. If you read just one book a night, you will have read 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years!
Now that power has been restored and Elsie Quirk Library is back on track with our regular programming schedule, stop by the library and take advantage of all that we offer. Learn about free library programs and resources for families and check out some great children’s books.
Here are the library events for this week:
Saturday
- Find Yourself at the Library! Come in and find a good book or movie for the weekend.
Monday
- Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild meets at 10 a.m.
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- OWOW Writer’s Group meets at 1 p.m.
- Monday Night Movie at 5 p.m. Tonight’s film is about a working-class father trying to raise his family in the 1950s while coming to terms with the events of his life. (PG-13, 2 hrs. 19 min.)
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Stop in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscape questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For more information, call 941-861-9807 or online at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/plantclinic.shtml.
- Reading Buddies at 3:30 p.m. For ages 5-8 (entering K through 3rd grade). Keep up your reading skills and become a better reader by practicing with a buddy. Have fun while reading together and playing engaging reading activities. Volunteers are not trained experts, but will listen, encourage and help as needed.
Wednesday
- Englewood Genealogical Society meets at 1 p.m.
- Minecraft Club at 3:30 p.m. For ages 7- Unleash your imagination as you play Minecraft on the Xbox (360 Edition). Explore, build and conquer. A tutorial mode is available for beginners.
- Teen Book Club at 5:00 p.m. Join us for a book discussion followed by the movie based on the book. This month’s book will be “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan.
Thursday
- Alliance for Englewood Homeowners Association meets at 10 a.m.
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. is open to ages 0-5. Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that will include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities. This week’s theme is “C is for Cat”.
- The Knitting Club meets to knit and chat at 1 p.m.
Friday
- Grupo de Estudio Espanol meets at 10 a.m.
- Suncoast Humane Society meets at 1 p.m.
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 scgov.net.
