Sarasota County Libraries revving up new Pop-Up Library mobile service

Sarasota County Libraries is revving up a new service for patrons by introducing a mobile, Pop-Up Library equipped with a diverse collection of materials and technology.

The fully staffed vehicle, which will deliver library services and programs throughout the community, will be on display at the Osprey Library and History Center, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during a special open house.

“Our goal with this library is to bring much-needed resources to adults and families that may not have the means to travel to their local library,” said Renée Di Pilato, Director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “With the Pop-Up Library, we can provide lifelong learning opportunities to all residents, despite scheduling or transportation challenges.”

The mobile library provides a chance to renew or register for a library card, check out and drop off materials, receive reading recommendations from staff, get assistance with library technology, access free Wi-Fi, and participate in special programs.

“This could be a game-changer by providing residents access to the thousands of resources,” Di Pilato said.

The Pop-Up Library will visit various sites in Sarasota County that will be listed on a monthly calendar available at scgov.net/library. For questions about the Pop-Up Library, visit the website or call 941-861-1110.

Initial funding for the Pop-Up Library was provided by the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation.

Literary celebration in November

Sarasota County Libraries also is launching Off the Page, a literary celebration, on Nov. 1 featuring bestselling local authors as well as writing workshops, book signings, panels and more, with every county library branch participating.

“Our goal is to highlight literature and writing within Sarasota’s world class art scene,” Di Pilato said. “We want residents to connect through discovery and discussion related to all things literature, whether it’s through authors, books, scripts, plays or any literary topic they’d like to explore.”

The event will feature:

· Historical romance novelist Sarah MacLean kicks off the celebration on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at Selby Library. The New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today bestselling author is a leader in the romance genre. She also is a columnist for the New York Times, Washington Post and Bustle. Entertainment Weekly calls MacLean “the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance.”

· Neil Gaiman headlines an author talk on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Venice Performing Arts Center. Gaiman is the author of “The Sandman” comic series now on Netflix, “Good Omens” (written with Terry Pratchett and adapted into a series on Amazon), and “The Ocean at the End of the Lane.” He is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Eisner, Bram Stoker, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards. His book “American Gods” was described by the New York Public Library as one of the “125 most important books of the last 125 years.” Gaiman’s books for children include “Coraline,” “The Graveyard Book,” and “Fortunately the Milk.”

· Author/illustrator Raina Telgemeier speaks during a special Veterans Day event at Shannon Staub Library on Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. Her graphic novels “Smile,” “Sisters,” “Ghosts,” and “Guts” all hit No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Telgemeier's accolades include six Eisner Awards in addition to Boston Globe-Horn Book and Stonewall honors.

Off the Page is free to Sarasota County residents. For updates, visit scgov.net/library or call 941-861-1110.

Submitted by Merab-Michal Favorite

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New Pop-Up Library van service coming to Sarasota County neighborhoods