At the Elsie Quirk Library we are leaping into February, with enthusiasm for all 29 days! We are a proud partner in the Lemon Bay Festival, with a zestful array of programs and events. Lemon, as it happens, is my favorite flavor—if you’re looking for interesting lemon recipes, or just want to share a little lemon enthusiasm, stop by my office in the corner of the Elsie Quirk Library and lemon it up!
February is also Black History Month, an opportunity to learn, celebrate, examine, and confront the full spectrum of the nation’s history and heritage, which is woven of many threads. Black History Month is by definition a recognition of the complexity, disparity, richness, conflict, courage, ingenuity, fierce determination, and audacious resilience that defines America. Check out our display of books and other materials exploring American stories and perspectives that have too often gone unheard, unseen, or inadequately revered.
During the quirky month of February, we are also ambitiously soliciting community feedback via our comment card drive. We invite you to be part of the EQuation by telling us how we’re doing, what changes or developments you’d like to see, how we can help, and what you most want your local library to be, do, and offer. You will find comment cards throughout the library; and while some comment card stations will include sweet—perhaps lemony—enticements, we want your honest and unvarnished feedback. Your input will help us to make sure the Elsie Quirk Library is serving the community in the widest, most useful, enriching, and delightful manner possible.
This week’s events:
Friday
- Spanish Study Group 10:15 a.m.
- Basic Conversational Spanish for Beginners 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This is a beginner’s class, for developing basic communication skills. - Spanish Reading Goup 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Reading is at the beginning-intermediate level.
Saturday
- Lemon Bay Festival: Sarasota Prehistoric Underwater Sites 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Warm Mineral Springs/Little Salt Springs Archaeological Society members will speak about local underwater sites.
Monday
- 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. - Lemon Bay Festival: Native Plants for Birds 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Learn how to attract songbirds to your yard with native plants from the Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension unit.
Lemon Bay Festival: “Patrick Smith’s Florida: A Sense of Place” 2 p.m.
This film includes fascinating stories of Patrick Smith’s life, adventures, experiences and Florida’s past which led the author to write his novel, “A Land Remembered”. - Monday Night Movies 5 p.m.
This week’s movie will be a replaying of “Patrick Smith’s Florida: A Sense of Place” as part of the Lemon Bay Festival. - English for Spanish Speakers – Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes 5:30 – 7 p.m.
For Spanish speakers, who want to improve their skills in speaking and understanding English, with emphasis on correct pronunciation. Students must be able to speak some basic English.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscaping questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
- Lemon Bay Festival: Early Native American Sites in Sarasota County 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Discover the local sites of early Native Americans with the Florida Public Archaeology Network. - Englewood Indivisible Red Tide Task Force 12:45 – 2:45 p.m.
- Lemon Bay Festival: American Roots Music Road Show 2 – 3 p.m.
Lisa Brande and Mark Trichka with Easy Street Duo will present an upbeat program featuring bluegrass, old-time, country and zydeco music. - Englewood Camera Club 3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday
- Lemon Bay Festival: How Women Won the Vote 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Join members from the Englewood Museum as they give a presentation about the historic topic in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of women’s suffrage. - Lemon Bay Festival: “Cracker: The Last Cowboys of Florida” 2 – 4 p.m.
For more than 250 years, cowboys have ridden the plains of central Florida. This film captures the beauty of the old ways with the drama of encroaching civilization. - LEGO Club Group 6 – 7:30 p.m..
Children ages 5 to 12 will have fun getting together with others and sharing ideas, working together, and making new friends. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date.
Thursday
- Great Books Discussion Group 10:15 a.m. – Noon.
This group will be reading selections from the Great Books Foundation’s Great Conversations 4 and 5. A copy of Great Conversations 4 and 5 is available at Elsie Quirk Library’s Reference desk. - Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy and school readiness activities that feature stories, music and movement, and crafts.
- Quirky Knitters 1 – 3 p.m.
All are welcome to knit and chat.
