Sarasota Libraries: All 10 Branches, Hours, Cards, and What Your Card Gets You in 2026
A one-page guide to the Sarasota County library system: every branch with address and hours, how to get a card, free printing and rooms, ebooks on CloudLibrary and Hoopla, and the new Culture Pass for free museum tickets.
The Sarasota County library system runs ten branches, from Selby downtown to the keys and North Port, and a single free card unlocks all of them. This page gathers what the county site spreads across a dozen pages: every branch with its address, the hours worth knowing, how to get a card, and the free services a lot of people miss, including the 2026 Culture Pass for museum and theater tickets.
All ten branches, by where you live
Selby is the largest and the downtown events hub, and each branch has its own character. Note that Fruitville is mid-renovation, with a portable library running in its parking lot:
| Branch | Address | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selby Public Library | 1331 First St, Sarasota | Downtown | Largest and oldest; Creation Station makerspace |
| Gulf Gate | 7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota | South Sarasota | Busy family neighborhood branch |
| Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota | 2801 Newtown Blvd, Sarasota | Newtown | Community programs, modern building |
| Fruitville | 100 Apex Rd, Sarasota | East Sarasota | Under renovation; portable library in the lot |
| Elsie Quirk | 100 W Dearborn St, Englewood | Englewood | Genealogy collection |
| Osprey at Historic Spanish Point | 337 N Tamiami Trl, Osprey | Osprey | Paired with the County History Center |
| Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda | 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd, Venice | South Venice | Natural-design building, family programs |
| William H. Jervey Jr. Venice | 300 Nokomis Ave S, Venice | Downtown Venice | 24,000 sq ft; Creation Station |
| Shannon Staub | 4675 Career Ln, North Port | North Port (SCF) | Shared public/college; Creation Station |
| North Port | 13800 S Tamiami Trl, North Port | North Port | Traditional civic branch |
Hours: which branches stay open late
Every branch opens at 10 a.m. and closes on Sundays, and Fridays and Saturdays run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. system-wide. For a weeknight visit, Selby stays open until 8 Monday through Thursday, and Gulf Gate, the North Sarasota branch, Jacaranda, and the Venice and North Port branches each keep two evenings until 8. Call 941-861-1110 to confirm a specific branch.
Getting a library card
A card is free for Sarasota County residents: bring a photo ID and proof of address to any branch, or start online. Non-residents pay a sliding fee (from $15 for three months up to $80 for two years) for full borrowing. Residents of Charlotte and Manatee counties and Tampa Bay Library Consortium members borrow physical items free through reciprocal agreements.
Free everyday services: Wi-Fi, computers, printing, and rooms
Wi-Fi and public computers are free at every branch, and you can use them, print, and copy without a card. Black-and-white printing runs free up to 30 pages a day. Study rooms and meeting rooms are bookable in advance:
| Service | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Library card (resident) | Free | Photo ID + proof of Sarasota County address |
| Non-resident card | Paid | $15/3mo up to $80/2yr, full borrowing |
| Wi-Fi & public computers | Free | No card needed |
| Black-and-white printing/copying | Free | Up to 30 pages a day; color is unavailable |
| Study rooms | Free | 2 hrs/day, book 30 days out |
| Meeting rooms | Free | 9 of 10 branches, 72-hour notice |
| Ebooks & audiobooks | Free | CloudLibrary + Hoopla (the system uses these, not Libby) |
| Culture Pass | Free | Adult resident cardholders, museum & theater passes |
| 3D printing / makerspace | Free | Selby, Shannon Staub, Jervey Venice |
| Notary | Unavailable | The libraries do not provide notary service |
Ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming from home
The system uses CloudLibrary as its main ebook and audiobook app (it works with Kindle Fire) and Hoopla for streaming video, music, and comics. Both are free with your card. If you have been searching for Libby, this is the system to use here instead.
Culture Pass: free museum and theater tickets
Launched in February 2026, Culture Pass lets adult resident cardholders in good standing reserve free or discounted passes to 15-plus local attractions, including Asolo Rep, the Van Wezel, Sarasota Art Museum, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, and Big Cat Habitat. Reserve online with your card number and PIN; you hold one active pass at a time.
Makerspaces, 3D printing, and kids programs
Creation Stations at Selby, Shannon Staub, and Jervey Venice offer 3D printing, sewing, robotics, and VR for ages 8 and up. Adult 3D-printing classes let you design in Tinkercad and pick up your print the following week. Story times, teen events, author talks, and workshops run across the branches on the library event calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Sarasota County library card?
Residents get a card free. Bring a photo ID and proof of a Sarasota County address to any branch, or apply online. Non-residents pay from $15 for 3 months.
What are Sarasota library hours?
Branches open at 10 a.m. and close Sundays. Fridays and Saturdays run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. system-wide, and weekday evenings close at 6 or 8 p.m. depending on the branch. Selby runs Monday through Thursday until 8.
Can I print at the library, and does it cost anything?
Yes. Black-and-white printing and copying are free up to 30 pages a day, and you do not need a card. Color printing is unavailable.
Does Sarasota County Libraries use Libby for ebooks?
The system uses CloudLibrary as its main ebook and audiobook app, which works with Kindle Fire, plus Hoopla for streaming. Both are free with your card.
How do I book a study room or meeting room?
Study rooms book up to 30 days ahead for 2 hours a day with 24-hour notice. Meeting rooms, at 9 of 10 branches, reserve with 72-hour notice up to 12 times a year.
Sources checked
Use these official pages for same-day hours, weather changes, ticket updates, and schedule details.