The feel of this library is nice, big, roomy, and mostly inviting. The children's area is nice for…read morethe little ones to read books and play. It would be nice to have an event calendar state what is the story time themes are, not just the time. My biggest complaint is by the front door. There were 5-7 gentleman loitering outside, almost blocking the doors. We were inside for about an hour and they were still there when we were leaving. 14.06.2024

One thing I love about Manatee county and its public institutions is the commitment to the…read morecommunity and social awareness. Nothing short of that was the event I attended at Central Library on 4/21/18. The library hosted a fashion show that featured area students that designed dresses made from trash & other found / discarded items. What these young people came up with was absolutely miraculous, and the juxtaposition of those beautiful creations over the fact that we have a massive waste crisis on out hands in this world was really moving. One dress was made entirely of green soda bottles curled and extruded to create a flowing, bouncing ensemble mirrored by a hairdo of similar curl and body donned by the model. Another outfit top was made almost exclusively with a young lady's grandfathers old ties. Very creative! This is why I live in this part of Florida, and why I will continue to support the community and events they offer for many years to come.

On Wednesday's the little one I nanny and I hang out with Mrs. Chris for story time. We both have…read morethe best time. Last Saturday we went in for a Harry Potter event. The event was fabulous. So many activities for the kids and everyone was great with the baby (2 yrs) I had with me as she wanted to participate was well.

They are a great library. The librarians are very helpful as well. I'd recommend getting your…read morelibrary card and checking it out.

I often bring our grandson here and he absolutely loves it. I love watching him get excited about…read morebooks. All of the Manatee County Libraries have been amazing. I've heard they are going to be revamping this branch and changing up the children's area so I am excited for that!

Very friendly staff here and it is easy to request books from other branches. Funny to say out loud…read morebut this branch seems to offer more large print books than normal size font books. I experienced that mistake once and learned my lesson! Yikes, knock wood, not ready for that option yet.... Appreciate that you can drop off food donations for the Manatee food bank and donate books for the library book sale. Last weekend, there were plenty of kiddos enjoying a Saturday morning activity which was fun to see their enjoyment. This branch seems to offer many community activities, posted on their outdoor marquee, which is appreciated.

The Elmentrary Education department is not great. ESE isn't much better, but the director is ok…read more (Unlike Elm.) In the time Ive been in the program, ive have 2 really good teachers that taught something, the others are so detached from the field and their students, they have no idea what a classroom today looks like, nor do they have the experience in multiple classroom levels to speak about the topic on the level expected. If your a working adult stay away from this program. You are not able to work while in this program. (Well maybe a 10$ and hour job bagging groceries). If you have experience in the classroom, just pretend like you dont, all but 2 professors have use it against me, I did not feel safe to speak up in their classrooms. I would be cut off, or not called on, they will doubt your work because it so good. The times for classes are ok, would prefer the all remote so the professor cant lie and say they said it in class when they didnt. No important topics covered in class. Just a bunch of busy work that wont help you when you graduate. Here's a cleaned up version that keeps your tone and point but reads clearer and more professional: The Elementary Education department is not great. The ESE program is not much better, although the director is reasonable to work with (unlike Elementary). During the time I have been in the program, I have only had two professors who were genuinely good teachers and actually taught meaningful content. The rest seemed very detached from the field and from their students. Many of them do not appear to understand what classrooms today actually look like, nor do they have experience across multiple grade levels to speak about teaching on the level expected of future educators. If you are a working adult, I would strongly recommend staying away from this program. It is extremely difficult to maintain a job while enrolled. Realistically, the only way someone could work while completing the program would be a very low-hour, low-pay job. For anyone supporting themselves or working full time, the expectations make balancing work and school nearly impossible. Another challenge I experienced was how prior classroom experience was treated. Instead of being valued, it often felt like it was used against me. I quickly learned that it was easier to pretend I had no experience at all. In most classes, I did not feel comfortable speaking up. When I tried to contribute, I was sometimes cut off, not called on, or my work was questioned because it was "too good." That environment made it difficult to participate honestly in discussions. The class times themselves were manageable, but I would have preferred fully remote options. At times, professors would claim something had been explained in class when it had not been clearly covered. Overall, many of the courses focused on busy work rather than practical skills that would actually help future teachers once they graduate. I expected more meaningful preparation for the realities of today's classrooms.

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE HERE!! If I could add zero stars I would. I was told by a counselor to talk to…read morethe DRC because I can't pass a simple math class for the life of me. The DRC has messed with my time and patience multiple times already because they keep changing up the documentation they need to be able to accept the fact that I have anxiety and need more time and even more help when it comes to certain subjects. They have made it physically impossible to get help and have made me cry as I walk out the door because the woman in charge of the DRC talk to you as if you're a child instead of a young adult trying to get proper help. On top of that, it took me coming in 4 more times for them to accept all of my transfer credits and my fasfa because they don't have proper protocol and always seem to blame technology or other schools, etc for they're mess ups. I just transferred here. It is absolutely ridiculous I have to deal with these unprofessional, belittling, shitty adults. Please look at all your options before deciding to go to this school.

Ed Behn at the Manatee County Veterans Service Office has been a blessing to me. Every time I have…read morean issue with the Veterans Administration, he is more than qualified to take care of the issue. I would not have the disability rating I currently have without his knowledge of the Compensation and Pension system. I had an appointment with him today, and when I went into his office, he had researched my most recent claim and had the appeal already completed for my signature. I wish more Manatee County Veterans knew about this organization and the free services they provide. The personnel who work here are skilled in the lingo needed to get their claims approved. Thank you so much Ed. I tell every veteran I meet that is interested in submitting a claim to make an appointment with Ed Behn at the Manatee County Veterans Service Office.

Manatee County employee license plate number #. TJ0748 unit number 66442 . As an appointed member…read moreof the court, I had to this umfortunate opportunity for a A Manatee County permit inspector next to my house, blocked my driveway to inspect the house next to us. This man parked in the shade, so the cab of his truck would not get hot thus blocking my driveway my making it difficult to exit on my way to the courthouse.

How can a book store be a bad place to visit? Besides solo trips to stroll the shelves to see what…read moreneeds to be added to my TBR, the kids love it too. They can search books, bookish merch, and games or puzzles that we "need." Staff has always been friendly and helpful when looking for particular books. 01.04.2025

This particular BAM has a lot of used titles as well as new, which I found to be great! I even…read morefound a couple of Richard Laymon books! I will say the organization does leave a bit to be desired. Like, yes, there is a horror section, but almost all of the used titles are shelved with regular fiction? Including King and Koontz? It is a bit of an odd choice. But very friendly staff that were happy to point me in the right direction!