Storytimes near Englewood Charlotte Public Library

Outdoors, Port Charlotte

Join us outdoors! Children ages 0-18 may come and get a free school lunch from Champs on Wheels. Food must be eaten at the library. Fun such as reading and coloring will be available after lunch. Participate in the Summer Reading Program while you are here - you can earn cool prizes!

Common area, Mid-County

Love to read and talk about what you’ve discovered? Join Hooked on Books, our theme-based book discussion group! Each month features a new theme, and participants choose their own titles to read and share with the group—so you’ll always leave with a fresh list of recommendations. To keep discussions lively and give everyone time to share, Hooked on Books will meet twice each month, starting in June 2026. Please choose one session to attend per month; both meetings will feature the same theme. This group meets in the fiction area at Mid-County library.

Large meeting room - ECL, Englewood

This summer, children ages 0-12 and their caregivers are invited to drop into our children’s library for an interactive story time every Thursday morning. These story times will have a variety of books and songs to celebrate our summer reading theme, Unearth a Story!

Room C - MCR, Mid-County

Read & Feed is back this summer—serving up stories and smiles! Join us for this special program that combines the joy of reading with a nutritious free meal for kids. In partnership with Charlotte County Schools and their CHAMPS on Wheels Cafe (COW), children ages 0-18 can drop in to enjoy engaging books, a welcoming library space, and a healthy lunch at no cost. Meals will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. while supplies last. Perfect for keeping young minds active and bellies full, Read & Feed makes summer reading even more rewarding. Come for the stories, stay for the meal, and leave inspired!

Mid-County

Join fellow mahjong enthusiasts for a friendly game session. Bring your own tiles and supplies and enjoy playing with others in our shared public space. This is not a staff-led program, and instruction and game materials are not provided. Participants are asked to help maintain a welcoming environment for everyone using the library. If you are a beginner, please register yourself for our Learn to Play Mahjong program to get a tutorial. Registration for playing mahjong is not required, but it is available in case you would like an email or text reminder about the event.

Room B - PG, Punta Gorda

All ages and experience levels are invited to drop in for a game of chess! No experience necessary.

Large meeting room - ECL, Englewood

Mote Marine Laboratory is coming to the library! What are coral reefs, and why are they important? What are some of the biggest threats to our planet’s coral reefs? Learn about Mote’s coral research and restoration programs and participate in a hands-on ocean acidification lab. This program is recommended for kids in grades 2-5, but ALL are welcome. Registration is required; please register each child separately. Call 941.681.3736 with any questions.

Room A - PG, Punta Gorda

Join us at The Writing Lab for monthly sessions where you can write on your current project or pick up a new one. Whether you are finishing up your novel, perfecting your poetry, or anything in between, we’d love to have you write with us! Each session will be divided into two parts. The first part will focus on writing. If you want help, need guidance, or have questions, staff will be able to assist. A prompt will be given at the beginning that you can follow if you feel inspired, or you can choose to work on your own project. The second part will be a guided critique. Writers will have the option to share what they are working on, followed by a facilitated discussion and feedback. Light refreshments will be provided. This program is for ages 18 and older.

Englewood

Calling all Magic: The Gathering players! Join us every Thursday night for Thursday Night Magic: Library Edition, a casual Magic: The Gathering meet-up at the library. Whether you're a seasoned planeswalker or just picking up your first deck, all experience levels are welcome. Never played, but want to learn? We'll teach you! Bring your own deck or borrow one of ours and challenge fellow adventurers in a fun, relaxed environment. Meet new players, sharpen your skills, and enjoy the magic of the game surrounded by fellow fans.

Room C - MCR, Mid-County

We invite you to join us for a special program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Charlotte County Historian Dr. Jennifer Zoebelein will provide a brief overview of the events that led 13 colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain in 1776. We will then read this important document, and all ages are encouraged to participate! When registering, please indicate whether you'd like to read aloud at the event.

Port Charlotte

Join us outdoors! Children ages 0-18 may come and get a free school lunch from Champs on Wheels. Food must be eaten at the library. Fun such as reading and coloring will be available after lunch. Participate in the Summer Reading Program while you are here - you can earn cool prizes!

Room A/B - PG, Punta Gorda

This program, for children between 0 and 6 years old, is designed to improve listening and group interaction skills through stories, movement activities, music and dramatic play. Get ready to sing, dance, and pop some bubbles!

Large meeting room - ECL, Englewood

Children ages 3-12 are invited to join us for a fun craft! This is not a series. Please register for each date individually. If you need to cancel, please call the library to allow another child a chance to attend the program. July 3: Dino Puzzle July 10: Ceramic Bug Painting July 17: Canvas Reading Totes July 24: Shark Suncatchers

Room C - MCR, Mid-County

Read & Feed is back this summer—serving up stories and smiles! Join us for this special program that combines the joy of reading with a nutritious free meal for kids. In partnership with Charlotte County Schools and their CHAMPS on Wheels Cafe (COW), children ages 0-18 can drop in to enjoy engaging books, a welcoming library space, and a healthy lunch at no cost. Meals will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. while supplies last. Perfect for keeping young minds active and bellies full, Read & Feed makes summer reading even more rewarding. Come for the stories, stay for the meal, and leave inspired!

Room A - PG, Punta Gorda

This group gathers to have stimulating dialogue about the larger questions of life in an informal setting. It's for people who are seekers, wishing to share and learn with others.

Mid-County

Calling all creative tweens! Join us for Tween Sketch Lab, a weekly drop-in program where imagination takes center stage. Each session features fun, hands-on sketching activities—from doodle challenges and character design to comics, optical illusions, and more. Participants will explore new drawing techniques, build confidence, and develop their own unique artistic style in a relaxed, supportive environment. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and get ready to draw! This program is for ages 11-14.

Room B - MCR, Mid-County

People from different backgrounds get together and exchange philosophical perspectives based on their experiences.

Room A - PG, Punta Gorda

Calling all gamers! Are you looking for a group to game with? Our gaming group is for everyone. We play a variety of games including fighting, racing, and sports games. Tournaments are held the last Friday of each month. If you have the skill, come compete for our trophy.

Port Charlotte

Shop the shelves at the Port Charlotte Library! We’ve already reassigned the volumes we can accommodate at our other library branches, so it’s time to clear the shelves before the building is demolished. Many bestsellers and titles by popular authors will be available for purchase. Fiction, nonfiction, kids’ books, DVDs and Blu-rays—all materials must go! Fill a bag for $5! Items will not be sold individually. Bags will be provided. Only cash and check will be accepted. Proceeds will support library programming in the Port Charlotte area. Doors open at 10 a.m.

Outdoors, Port Charlotte

Join us for a community barbecue as we say goodbye to the Port Charlotte Library on Saturday, July 11! We'll take a look back at the 65-year history of this neighborhood library with a Farewell Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Then enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers, music, historical displays, and more as we celebrate the end of an era. You can also shop the shelves all day. Bring your memories to share—we want to hear how this library made a difference in your life!

Common area, Mid-County

Love to read and talk about what you’ve discovered? Join Hooked on Books, our theme-based book discussion group! Each month features a new theme, and participants choose their own titles to read and share with the group—so you’ll always leave with a fresh list of recommendations. To keep discussions lively and give everyone time to share, Hooked on Books will meet twice each month, starting in June 2026. Please choose one session to attend per month; both meetings will feature the same theme. This group meets in the fiction area at Mid-County library.

Conference room - ECL, Englewood

Join volunteer Tammie for a discussion about writing fiction. For more information, please contact Tammie Diehl at tamiamifl@comcast.net.

Large meeting room - ECL, Englewood

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at our indoor Patriotic Party! Families are invited to enjoy red, white, and blue fun with a festive craft, tasty snacks, and patriotic activities as we honor this historic milestone together. Wear your patriotic colors and join the celebration!

Room B - MCR, Mid-County

Do you have a good imagination? Do you think fast on your feet? Join us and gain improv experience in a low-pressure environment! Expand your acting or comedy interests and improve your communication skills--and have fun, too! For more information, please email Scott at ImprovFlorida@yahoo.com or contact the library at 941.764.5562. Registration is not required, but is available in case you would like a text or email reminder each month.

Room C - MCR, Mid-County

Buzz on over for a sweet adventure into the world of bees! Kids will discover fascinating bee facts, explore real beekeeping artifacts, and get an up-close look at an observation hive. Enjoy hands-on activities as we learn how these amazing pollinators help our world bloom! This program is recommended for ages 7-10.

Common area, Punta Gorda

All ages and experience levels are invited to drop in for a game of chess! No experience necessary.

Room A/B - PG, Punta Gorda

Get ready for the coolest science experience ever! In this hands-on family program, kids and caregivers will explore the amazing science behind super-cold temperatures with Subzero Nitrogen Ice Cream! Watch in awe as ingredients transform in seconds, creating a delicious frozen treat while learning about states of matter, temperature, and chemical reactions. This interactive program blends education and excitement, giving families the chance to discover science together in a fun, safe, and unforgettable way. Come curious—and leave with a tasty treat! This program is recommended for ages 7-10.

Room B - MCR, Mid-County

People from different backgrounds get together and exchange philosophical perspectives based on their experiences.

Room B - MCR, Mid-County

Drop in and work on your quilting project in a social setting. The group members assist each other and sometimes share supplies. Registration is not required, but it is available in case you would like an email or text reminder about the event.

Room C - MCR, Mid-County

Read & Feed is back this summer—serving up stories and smiles! Join us for this special program that combines the joy of reading with a nutritious free meal for kids. In partnership with Charlotte County Schools and their CHAMPS on Wheels Cafe (COW), children ages 0-18 can drop in to enjoy engaging books, a welcoming library space, and a healthy lunch at no cost. Meals will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. while supplies last. Perfect for keeping young minds active and bellies full, Read & Feed makes summer reading even more rewarding. Come for the stories, stay for the meal, and leave inspired!