Every library provides patrons with adult, teen, and children's materials, along with computers for public use and Wi-Fi access.

Sarasota County residents have access to Book-By-Mail, a convenient and free service to send library materials through the U.S.

Through the latter, "residents of all ages who are unable to read standard print material due to visual, physical, or learning disabilities are provided recorded, Braille, and large-print books and magazines as well as a collection of descriptive videos and Playaways.

Sarasota County residents with a library card in good standing can request interlibrary loans.

[5] The Sarasota County Library System has a range of materials chosen based on the Collection Development Policy.

In addition to digital resources, Sarasota County Libraries also has Pop-Up Library Services that make scheduled stops (also available by request), to "public parks, childcare facilities, condominium complexes, retirement communities, senior centers, recreational facilities and more.

The mission statement of the Sarasota County Libraries is "to offer equal access to information, foster lifelong learning and inspire community engagement.

In 1961 the Friends of the Library was established headed by Leah Lasbury, Josephine Cortes and President Lois Potter.

Elsie Quirk's first librarian was Harriet Ives, a graduate of the University of Syracuse, with a Master's degree in Library Science, with a salary of $1 an hour.

[10] The Friends of the Library was established in 1961, headed by Leah Lasbury, Josephine Cortez and President Lois Potter.

[13] The Fruitville Public Library was established in 2001 and serves Sarasota County and Lakewood Ranch residents.

[26] With an archaeological record that encompasses approximately 5,000 years of Florida prehistory, this National Register of Historic Places living history museum is referred to as one of the largest intact actively preserved archaeological sites of the prehistoric period on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

[28] It was located in the Stone Block Building on the southwest corner of Main Street and Pineapple Avenue.

The library was moved to the club's headquarters, today the site of Florida Studio Theatre, where it remained from 1915 to 1931.

In 2012, mold was discovered in one of the library's meeting rooms in which the county underwent efforts to clean the building.

As a result, county officials closed down the meeting room as mold continued to spread throughout the library.

Jervey also donated $250,000 as an estate gift to the entire Sarasota Public Library System.