A cultural and educational hub in South Florida, Sarasota is no stranger to great libraries, from the public to academic to special collections. Founded more than 100 years ago, the Sarasota County Library System consists of nearly a dozen branches that offer programming, classes, educational resources, and, of course, shelves full of books.
Many academic libraries allow the general public to borrow books, too. Whether you’re a regular bookworm, student, or parent, your local library is a fantastic community resource. Here is a list of Sarasota County’s many libraries:
Public:
-
Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
- Elsie Quirk Library
- Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library
- Fruitville Library
- Gulf Gate Library
- North Port Library
- Osprey Library at Historic Spanish Point
- Selby Library
- Shannon Staub Library
- William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Public Library
Academic:
-
Alfred R. Goldstein Library at Ringling College of Art and Design
- Jane Bancroft Cook Library
- State College-Florida Library
Special:
- Sarasota County Law Library
To get you started, I’ve profiled a few of the best libraries in the Sarasota area.
Selby Library
The Selby Library is the largest library in the county and the central branch of the public system. The library was opened in 1907 as the first library in Sarasota. The library offers an extension, diverse collection of books and resources, as well as a quiet place to read or study. The library is located in a beautiful building near the waterfront in downtown Sarasota.
1331 First. St., (941) 861-1100
Shannon Staub Library
Opened in late 2017, the Shannon Staub is the most recently established of the county’s libraries. It serves as both a public library and an academic library for Suncoast Technical College. This library boasts more than 23,000 square feet of books, study rooms, and “Creation Stations, tech labs that feature 3-D printers and laser cutters for designing prototypes.
4675 Career Ln., (941) 861-1740
Osprey Library at Historic Spanish Point
This may be the county’s smallest branch, but it has features that make it a cultural gem. Located within Historic Spanish Point, a museum that covers a more than 5,000 years of Florida history and archaeology, this library has a relatively small collection but can hold pick-ups from any library in the system. Perhaps its most attractive feature is the large screened-in porch with Adirondack chairs – perfect for an afternoon of self-care with a book in hand.
337 N. Tamiami Tr., (941) 918-4037
Alfred R. Goldstein Library at Ringling College of Art and Design
Another new Sarasota addition, the Alfred R. Goldstein library opened in January 2017 as part of the city’s famed design school. The library is an intellectual and creative hub for students, featuring both physical and digital resources for students, faculty, and visitors. There is a floor designated for quiet study, as well as study rooms that can be booked for group projects.
2700 Bradenton Rd., (941) 359-7587
Jane Bancroft Cook Library
The Jane Bancroft Cook Library is an academic library shared by the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and the New College of Florida. The general community is also allowed to borrow many of its resources and use its free WiFi. It has a large collection of physical and electronic resources, which range from fiction to academic textbooks to multimedia.
5800 Bay Shore Rd., (941) 487-4305
State College of Florida Library
This Bradenton university library serves primarily the students of the Manatee-Sarasota campus of the State College of Florida (SCF). This library and learning center is full to the brim with academic resources, workspaces for students, and technology and equipment. County library card holders can also borrow books here thanks to a partnership with public libraries. The library also has branches in Venice and Lakewood Ranch.
5840 26th St. W., (941) 752-5305
Sarasota County Law Library
The Law Library is a legal reference library intended for on-site research and is available for the general public to use. The library has a collection of materials, access to Fast Case, a free online database, and a few computers. A law librarian is available on-site Monday to Friday during business hours.
2002 Ringling Blvd., (941) 861-8191
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