Selby Public Library

Today, unfortunatelly libraries are not as popular as let's say 15 years ago, where the only resource people had access to reading materials for free, is to go to your local library. A lot of adults and children today, own digital books like, Kindle or Nook, where you can download variety of books and magazines, based on your interest from the comfort of your home. The truth is, I don't think reading ebooks is a bad thing to do, but in my opinion still painfully ugly and weirdly irritating to interact with. They look like copies of paper, but they can't be designed or typeset in the same way as paper, and however splendid the cover images may look on a hi-res screen, they're still images rather than physical things.



I'm one of those few people, who don't own a digital book, instead I take trips to a local libary with my family every Saturday. The Selby Public Library was the first library in Sarasota County and was established in 1907. The current building is the largest public library in Sarasota County and serves the downtown district of Sarasota. You have access to thousands of books. Plus, media, internet access and magazines. The best part about it is that it's free.

Since, we all have different interests in our family, we spread out to our own little sections, where we can browse for hours in between shelves to find books that we will enjoy reading. 

Angelika goes to Teen Center, where she spends most of her time browsing through hundreds of books, she also has Internet access that is available at the Computer Section, Wi-Fi spot. The 30-minute use of computers is free of charge. When she wants to get more familiar with a book or books that she chose, sitting is also available at Teen Center.

My husband and I will take Annabella to a Children Center, where she has access to learning materials, variety of books, play area and internet access. Also, as a bonus she has access to couple of computers designed just for playing learning games, like reading, math and science. The Children Center also has a sitting area for parents and kids. I enjoy sitting down with Annabella and read to her, once she is familiar with a book, we take turns reading. It's the best time and place to have that one on one reading time with your child. There are no distractions, it's quite and let's face it, books are all around us.

Selby Library also offers The Friends Bookstore inside the library. They invite you to come in and browse among the thousands of books in every genre. You can also check the ever-changing sales. Stock up on your summer beach reading. Find interesting cookbooks, out-of-print classics and unique titles that defy a set genre. They are definatelly tempt your curiosity and emotions and energize your mind with new ideas and a variety of interests. The prices are very affordable and the value is “priceless.” Bibliophiles travel from all over the country comes to visit them!

Besides books, Selby library also has access to hundreds of movies, you can find it in a media section. You have different picks from older movies to newer releases. Older movies are very hard to find today, since a lot of movie rental stores have closed, but some online services are available, like Netflix or Amazon, except you do have to pay a fee. Unlike library, it's free of charge and you'll have more time to watch it.

Self check out stands are also available, I personally like to use self check out service, it's easy and fast. Library staff is always available to answer all your questions and to help you with whatever you may need.

If you just moved here or maybe lived in Sarasota for awhile, but never visited "The Selby Library", I encourage you to do so, just don't forget about a library card. It takes less then 5 minutes to fill out a form and you have different designs to choose from. Bring your youngsters, it's plenty for them to do and explore here. If you looking for an upcoming event or things to do in Sarasota, information stands are available at the front of the library as you walk in to the building.


❤ Have you visited Selby Public Library? What do you think about it? Share in the comments section below! ❤

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