SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Sanibel Public Library will present a virtual author talk on Jan. 20 with Julia Hotz.
The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children.
With support from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation, it has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders. The next one will take place on Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. with journalist and award-winning author Julia Hotz. She will chat about her first book, “The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging.”
Hotz is a solutions focused journalist based in New York. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American, The Boston Globe, Time, and more. Hotz helps other journalists report on the big new ideas changing the world at the Solutions Journalism Network.
To register for the author talk, visit https://libraryc.org/sanlib/upcoming.
Additionally, the library has the following programs scheduled:
John LeCarre’s Smiley: George Smiley will be held on Jan. 14 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.
On Jan. 14, From Dreams to Data: The History of AI will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. Attendees will discover how artificial intelligence (AI) evolved from early ideas to today’s smart technologies.
Play It First: “Sanibel” Board Game will be held on Jan. 14 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.
On Jan. 14, Crafternoon Collage will take place 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.
Experience the Magic of 3D Printing will be held on Jan. 15 from 3 to 4 p.m. Attendees will receive a hands-on introduction to 3D printing techniques.
On Jan. 16, America at War: Operation Market Garden 1944 will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. with Duane E. Shaffer. In the summer of 1944, plans began for an operation to seize a bridge over the lower Rhine River at Arnhem in Holland. The American part of the mission was to employ the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions to seize key features that might delay the advance of British XXX Corps tanks towards the bridge. They succeeded in their tasks of capturing the vital bridges at Eindhoven and Nijmegen. However, the delays caused to the British armored advance, combined with strong German resistance at Arnhem, led to the withdrawal of the remnants of the British 1st Airborne Division in one of the costliest defeats of World War II.
A Humorous Look at Paradise will be held on Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to noon. Join Southwest Florida cartoonist Doug MacGregor for side-splitting humor as he illustrates the funny and unique nature of living in paradise. He will amuse attendees with his wit and sense of humor. From snowbirds to early bird specials, MacGregor will cover all aspects of living in Southwest Florida.
On Jan. 21, Preachers, Skeeters and More: Stories from a Rediscovered Sanibel & Captiva will take place from 11 a.m. to noon. For nearly a decade, documentary filmmaker Ken Sneeden has been chronicling the history of the islands for the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village and Captiva Island Historical Society. He will show brief excerpts from some of his documentaries and highlight some of the more interesting historical events that he uncovered along the way.
R.E.A.D. to Rizzo will be held on Jan. 21 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.
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 now through Jan. 17, the library is taking ticket requests for its Author Series event with Kristin Harmel on Feb. 17. It will entail an intimate evening with a champagne reception, light hors d’oeuvres and book signing. A “lottery system” ticketing procedure is used; names of those requesting tickets are placed in the lottery and selected at random, then notified by email. Requests can be made online at www.sanlib.org. Those unable to access the online form or who need help using the form can call the library at 239-472-2483 or come in for assistance.
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.