The Selby public library in Sarasota is centrally located in downtown with it own parking lot which…read moreallows up to 2 hours of free parking for patrons. The library is an architectural landmark and a nice space to work in, though it can also feel a bit utilitarian. They have a range of books and audio collections to browse and borrow. A lot of people come to use the computer stations or work on their laptops. The ground floor has more of a social atmosphere where some people play board games and there's a store that sells used books. During tax season they have help with that if you need it.

The huge pillars & interesting done make it look more like a stadium or auditorium than a library…read more This Selby Library is the flagship branch of the Sarasota County Library System, located in downtown Sarasota. This is the county's first library, established in 1907. It offers a wide range of resources, including books, digital materials & computer classes. It is known for its vibrant space, including a children's area with an aquarium arch. The library is supported by a permanent endowment from the Selby Foundation.

This is my favorite place to hang out on campus. Great hours (better than any other building this…read moreside of campus). Great selection (harness the power of ILL and UBorrow). Great staff. As a student, I found it useful for both academic and recreational purposes. While construction work has hindered its use somewhat recently, the staff have been very accommodating.

This is one top notch library! Open late for those intense study sessions. The staff is…read moreremarkably knowledgeable and friendly though in one corner of the library there is a very loud guy who always sounds like he's screaming. Just stay in the other areas and it's nice and quiet. Also - the thesis room is an amazing place to read up on an incredibly wide variety of subjects. I highly recommend going in there, grabbing a random thesis and sitting down for a quick read! Great way to get some knowledge crammed into your head. There is some sort of deep seated passion and intrigue mixed with fear and angst in every one of them! All in all a really fantastic library.

Perfection with shelves. The best library I have attended and worked for as a volunteer!read more

I stopped in to use the high speed Wi-Fi; the parking was great, building is beautiful and…read morespacious. There was plenty of room for me to use my laptop (I'm traveling and needed a place to complete/send a project). Sarasota Gulf Gate Library is nice!

On Wednesday's the little one I nanny and I hang out with Mrs. Chris for story time. We both have…read morethe best time. Last Saturday we went in for a Harry Potter event. The event was fabulous. So many activities for the kids and everyone was great with the baby (2 yrs) I had with me as she wanted to participate was well.

They are a great library. The librarians are very helpful as well. I'd recommend getting your…read morelibrary card and checking it out.

The Betty J. Johnson library services the immediate area of Newtown but also the entirety of…read moreSarasota County. The collection of books is pretty expansive and they run great programs for kids and adults alike. You can reserve and hold a book at any branch to be picked up at this location, and any book you return in the library system can be returned here as well. The librarians and staff are always so pleasant and helpful! I do attend some awesome programs this library puts on and they are always delightful.

Great resources always available. On line access, printer access, friendly and helpful staff…read more Always clean, various office supplies available. I appreciate this library!!

The feel of this library is nice, big, roomy, and mostly inviting. The children's area is nice for…read morethe little ones to read books and play. It would be nice to have an event calendar state what is the story time themes are, not just the time. My biggest complaint is by the front door. There were 5-7 gentleman loitering outside, almost blocking the doors. We were inside for about an hour and they were still there when we were leaving. 14.06.2024

One thing I love about Manatee county and its public institutions is the commitment to the…read morecommunity and social awareness. Nothing short of that was the event I attended at Central Library on 4/21/18. The library hosted a fashion show that featured area students that designed dresses made from trash & other found / discarded items. What these young people came up with was absolutely miraculous, and the juxtaposition of those beautiful creations over the fact that we have a massive waste crisis on out hands in this world was really moving. One dress was made entirely of green soda bottles curled and extruded to create a flowing, bouncing ensemble mirrored by a hairdo of similar curl and body donned by the model. Another outfit top was made almost exclusively with a young lady's grandfathers old ties. Very creative! This is why I live in this part of Florida, and why I will continue to support the community and events they offer for many years to come.

Always on the lookout for something for the child and I do, I stumbled upon an Origami Festival…read morehappening here. We walked in and a large room up front had four tables set up with ladies showing groups how to make fun things with paper. It was such a wonderful way to spend the morning. If the baby hadn't started to get antsy, then the child and I would have spent all day there. Judy showed us how to make a few things and was patient with my son going through all the steps. As for the library, we had never been to this location. It was so clean. Not just tidy, but clean. Everything looked like it belong in that spot with no clutter. The kid's area was great for an antsy 2 year old to play and let off some energy. I tried to look for a book, but she wasn't having it so must of my time was in that space.

The mural on the building was done with vivid colors and beautifully done. The library was neatly…read morearranged with tons of reading materials. The children that were visiting were having loads of fun and considerate to other visitors

Lovely library near downtown Venice. There is also a library out on Jacaranda I haven't been to…read more Theu have events for kids, teens, crafters, adult learners, and book lovers. They habe a nice Friends of Lubrary bookstore. You can reserve the books you want online and then pixk them up from the reserve shelf. Movies too. Audio books. They habe computers. Printing and copying. Not a research library and the Sarasota area library offerings don't match up with Tampa but lots on offer. Well staffed. Comfy and spacious. Newspapers and pamphlets too on the local area and sights. Senior living and shows. I read a book a day. Sometimes two.

Beautiful library in downtown Venice. Very clean and new looking inside and out. The toddler/kid…read moreroom was wonderful, very large with plenty of different books/toys/tables for all. Very kind employees willing to help. We took our 8 month old here for a "Partners in Play" baby group in their community room and it was awesome. Our baby enjoyed it so much.