Everyone in Englewood knows that the Elsie Quirk Library is the hot spot in town, but did you know that we also loan out hot spots? With your Sarasota County library card, you can borrow a magical little device called a hot spot that provides wifi in most locations. Not a Sarasota County resident? Ask us about getting a visitor card, which allows non-residents to access our databases, borrow hot spots, and be one of the cool kids. Just kidding, we know our Charlotte county friends are equally hip.
As part of the Sarasota County Centennial, I have had the pleasure of crisscrossing the county working on a project called 100 Years, 100 Stories. We are conducting short interviews with 100 people across the full expanse of the county. This collection of snapshots of people’s experiences living and working in Sarasota County will be available online in the coming weeks at www.sarasotacounty100.com. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to hear the rich and varied stories of growing up in Englewood; of falling in love with Osprey and moving there on a whim; of 60 years of supporting entrepreneurship in Newtown; of finding a life of purpose in Venice; of immigrating from across the world to Nokomis; of raising a family in Sarasota; of building dreams in North Port. The breadth and depth of experiences and perspectives across the county has been a joy to explore. I am, perhaps, partial, though, and have a particular fondness for the interviews conducted with Elsie Quirk Library staff members, who, as you may remember from previous columns, are as cool as astronauts.
While awaiting the posting of the 100 Years, 100 Stories video series, I encourage you to explore the Centennial website. On my first visit to the website I learned that one of my baseball heroes, Buck O’Neal, grew up in Sarasota County! After perusing the county’s history, come on in to Elsie Quirk and document your own history with one of our lovely scrapbooking kits to-go.
A Sampling of Library Events, Opportunities, and Resources to Explore:
To-Go Programs
Take home bags full of amusement.
- Early Childhood Gumball Activity
A fun craft for our youngest patrons.
- Teen Bag-O-Rama
A jar of stars, and other things to think about and stuff to do for teens.
- Scrapbook Bags
All ages can enjoy our scrapbook bags—memorialize this historic moment, make a centennial scrapbook, create a lovely gift for your best friend….
Community Support
- Job Seekers Kit
A purple folder packed with helpful tips, resources, and tools for job seekers, available at our community resource table.
- Care Kits
Reusable sinch bags with useful everyday items for those in need, such as personal hygiene supplies, sox, first aid supplies, and Kind Bars, available by asking any library staff member.
- Snack Bags
Full of popular snacks for children and teens 18 and under, available in the youth department.
Virtual Programs
Sign up or learn more at: scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com/events
- Alphabet Storytime
Online storytime for kids, enjoy Elsie Quirk’s own Cris and George reading books with their favorite letters, and discover new library friends from other branches.
- Tech by Zoom
Need help with your new phone? Can’t figure out how to get e-books on your iPad? Want to find out how to make Word stop putting spaces where you don’t want them? Set up a tech by Zoom appointment with an Elsie Quirk staff member by registering online or giving us a call. We are also happy to talk you through setting up a Zoom account over the phone.
Outdoor Programs
- Trivia Walk
Keep an eye out for Elsie Quirk’s trivia walks, happening throughout the 100 days of centennial celebration. Pick up an answer card at the desk, stroll the walkway to read our trivia boards, and submit your answers to be entered into a drawing for intriguing prizes.
