Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library 
The North Sarasota Library was renamed in 2019 to be dedicated to Betty J. Johnson, a longtime county employee who worked for Selby Public Library for over four decades. She was a dedicated advocate for the library system and supporter of youth literacy. In 1979, she, along with the Friends of the Library, secured a $10,000 grant to establish a mobile library in a van that brought books to multiple neighborhoods. Her hard work and perseverance with this mobile library eventually culminated in the establishment of the North Sarasota Library in 2003.
Elsie Quirk Public Library
On June 15th, 1962, the Elsie Quirk Library was opened to the Englewood public. The library was planned a year before by Elsie and Wellington Quirk after they had visited a small community library while on vacation in North Carolina. The Quirks had donated land they had owned as well as $10,000 to have the library built, and with a newly established Friends of the Library, lobbied Sarasota County to contribute to the construction. Ms. Quirk was also an active volunteer at the library, and when the library was renovated in 2001, it was given her name.
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library
In October 1995 the Jacaranda Public Library was renamed the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library in honor of its most active advocate, Frances T. Bourne. She served on the Sarasota County Library Advisory Board and other local committees, and founded the Friends of the Jacaranda Library in 1992.
Shannon Staub Public Library
The Shannon Staub Public Library was opened in 2017, named in dedication of Shannon Staub, a 14-year Sarasota County commissioner who represented North Port, Englewood, and Venice. Staub was a significant proponent for public libraries, becoming a founding chair of the Library Foundation of Sarasota County in 2012. A portrait of Staub hangs in the entry way of the library.
Selby Public Library
The Selby Public Library is named in honor of William G. and Marie Selby. In 1955, they established the Selby Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to improve the quality of life in Sarasota County and its bordering counties. A grant of $550,000 from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation provided the largest single contribution to building the Selby Public Library. Other funds came from city, county, and federal governments and private donations.
William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Public Library
The Venice Public Library was dedicated to William H. Jervey, Jr., philanthropist and retired professor at the University of Central Florida, who donated $1 million towards the library's rebuilding after being closed and demolished one year earlier due to prevailing mold issues. Jervey, Jr. attributed much of the endowment to a lifelong love for libraries and reading.
Closure Notice
Fruitville Renovation
Renovations and expansion building works will be happening at Fruitville Library, which will require Fruitville Library to temporarily close on Dec. 18. The reimagined library is scheduled to reopen in July 2026.
Holds Pickup Interruption at Fruitville Library
With the closure of the Fruitville Library, there will be a brief period over the holidays when you will be unable to pick up your holds.
To ensure you receive your long-awaited items, please pick them up by 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Our portable library pickup option will be available in early January.
If you prefer, you may also change your hold pickup location to another library before that date. If you need assistance updating your pickup location, please call 941-861-1110.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.