Sanibel library offers range of programs and topics
The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children.
With support from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation, the library has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders. The next one will take place on Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. with cultural and political commentator and bestseller David Brooks, author of “The Road to Character.” He will discuss his book, “How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply.”
One of the nation’s leading writers and commentators, Brooks is an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, a writer for The Atlantic, and appears regularly on PBS NewsHour. He is the author of “The Second Mountain,” “The Social Animal,” “Bobos in Paradise” and “On Paradise Drive.”
To register for the author talk, visit https://libraryc.org/sanlib/upcoming.
Additionally, the library has the following programs scheduled:
A Book Talk and Signing with Artis Henderson will be held on Jan. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, the New York Times, Reader’s Digest and Sierra, among others. Artis’ first book, “Unremarried Widow,” was a New York Times Editors’ Choice named to more than 10 Best of the Year lists. Her second book, “No Ordinary Bird: Drug Smuggling, a Plane Crash, and a Daughter’s Quest for the Truth,” was named a best new book of 2025 by Oprah, as well as People magazine. Artis holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a graduate degree from the Columbia School of Journalism and a Master of Fine Arts from the Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. She was a 2024 Fulbright-National Geographic Award recipient.
On Jan. 7, R.E.A.D. to Rizzo will take place from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Youths will practice reading and reading out loud with Rizzo, a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) therapy dog. Registration is required by contacting esherman@sanlib.org.
A Puzzling Crafternoon will be held on Jan. 7 from 3 to 4 p.m. Open to ages 3 and up, participants will design their own jigsaw puzzle. Each puzzle will be a unique work of art. A variety of craft supplies will be available, along with examples and guidance.
On Jan. 8, VR Reef Tour — Underwater Exploration will take place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Explore marine life through The Blu, a virtual reality experience using HTC Vive technology that offers an immersive and educational look at the underwater world.
America the Beautiful: Our Great Roads will be held on Jan. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon. Ken Burgener, who has driven over a million miles with Greyhound and other companies, will showcase America’s beautiful spacious skies, amber waves of grain, purple mountain majesties, and the fruited plain. His program will include information about the longest roads, numbering system for the highways, great detours to drive and the history of some of the roads.
On Jan. 13, Thomas Edison’s Favorite Plants for Your Garden will take place from 11 a.m. to noon. Edison and Ford Winter Estates horticulturist Debbie Hughes will cover flowers — some fragrant, some for butterflies and birds, some for salt tolerance, for using to eat, and some for low care.
Italian for Beginners will be held on Jan. 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. Presented by Teresa Jacob, the workshop is geared for those who have an interest in learning basic Italian phrases that will help when traveling through Italy. It will also deal with pertinent cultural practices. The course will be interactive, with the stress being on speaking and having fun while learning.
On Jan. 14, John LeCarre’s Smiley: George Smiley will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. LeCarre wrote 25 novels. George Smiley appears in half and is the central character in three: “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” “The Honorable School Boy” and “Smiley’s People.” Presented by Aaron Cohen, the program will focus on LeCarre’s background, his writing style, the real-life characters upon which some of his stories are based, the enigmatic George Smiley, the spy jargon he invented, and the portrayal of Smiley by Alec Guinness. It will close with an interview with LeCarre about Guiness’s portrayal of Smiley.
From Dreams to Data: The History of AI will be held on Jan. 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. Attendees will discover how artificial intelligence (AI) evolved from early ideas to today’s smart technologies.
On Jan. 14, Play It First: “Sanibel” Board Game will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Thanks to a donation from the SanCap Chamber, the library will offer a special preview of Sanibel, where attendees can experience the brand-new game before it officially becomes available for purchase from retailers. Join for in-library gameplay, learn the rules and enjoy a community-centered introduction to the game. Copies of Sanibel will be available for checkout beginning the following day.
Crafternoon Collage will be held on Jan. 14 from 3 to 4 p.m. Open to ages 3 and up, attendees will make a collage that shows their personality, creativity and vision for 2026. A variety of supplies will be available, along with examples and guidance.
WEEKLY PROGRAMMING
– Crafternoon: Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Make a fun and engaging craft with staff guidance. All supplies provided. Open to all ages.
– Family Storytime: Fridays and Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy stories, songs, movement and early literacy play centers that spark creativity and motor skills. Open to babies and toddlers and their caregivers.
From Jan. 10-17, the library will take registrations for its Author Series event with Kristin Harmel on Feb. 17. After an intimate evening, there will be a champagne reception, light hors d’oeuvres and book signing opportunity. The library utilizes a “lottery system” ticketing procedure. Requests may be made at www.sanlib.org once the tickets open. Names of those requesting tickets will be placed in a lottery and selected at random, and then be notified by email. Those who are unable to access the online form or need help using the form can call the library at 239-472-2483 or come in for assistance from staff.
Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge. Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee.
The library is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit https://sanlib.org/ or call 239-472-2483.
The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.