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.

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.

This is my favorite place to hang out on campus. Great hours (better than any other building this…read moreside of campus). Great selection (harness the power of ILL and UBorrow). Great staff. As a student, I found it useful for both academic and recreational purposes. While construction work has hindered its use somewhat recently, the staff have been very accommodating.

This is one top notch library! Open late for those intense study sessions. The staff is…read moreremarkably knowledgeable and friendly though in one corner of the library there is a very loud guy who always sounds like he's screaming. Just stay in the other areas and it's nice and quiet. Also - the thesis room is an amazing place to read up on an incredibly wide variety of subjects. I highly recommend going in there, grabbing a random thesis and sitting down for a quick read! Great way to get some knowledge crammed into your head. There is some sort of deep seated passion and intrigue mixed with fear and angst in every one of them! All in all a really fantastic library.

It had been years since I had gone to the library. I used to love going when I was younger but as I…read moregot older technology has taken over. I have to say I am so glad I went! This library was so clean and peaceful. Staff was very welcoming and helpful. I definitely recommend anyone that works from home or just needs some alone time to stop by and spend some time here. I even got a FREE book that I could keep as part of the summer reading program

Five stars for the location, adequate parking, and the decor inside & out. I did not interact with…read morethe librarians, but saw them working behind plexiglass shields. They looked earnest & engrossed in their duties. Friday, 5/2/22, I visited this library for a one hour lesson in writing a "love letter will." It was interesting and I learned a few things. It was also a pitch for estate planning and wills, but I'm happy with our attorney and our will. I took the useful brochure with me. Afterwards, I wandered down the wide hallway to the double glass doors to peruse the books for sale in the front of the library. Prices were reasonable. I also looked around at the plethora of books and other materials that patrons could check out. But I had to call this visit short. I had to hurry to Palm Harbor to lead a class (Tai Chi for Balance). I hope to return for a more in depth look at what this majestic library offers.

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.

This is a huge and nice library. It is very quiet and clean. As normal libraries, they have…read morecomputers (to include Mac's), printers, and meeting rooms. They also have plenty events for children. They have a snack and "break area". This location also stays later than most in the Riverview, Brandon, Apollo Beach area. They have multiple rooms that we frequently use for my neighborhood homeowners associate meetings. We have used the Art Studio for a meeting. It has local art (also throughout the entire library) and children art. When using that room it's long tables with various type of chairs and obviously, paint supplies off to the side but out the way when it comes to meeting time. We have also used the Community Room. This meeting room has a divider to adjust for small and large groups. This room has a more professional setting and the space to rearrange if need be. My only complaint is for the entire Hillsborough County Library. When reserving a room, you will never speak with an employee. The process is pretty inconvenient. You call and leave a voicemail, and they'll contact you back in the order of all their voicemails. If they can not hear your number you left in the voicemail clearly, you will not get a call back. The turn around time is usually within a week. There is also an email process.

I always enjoy the atmosphere here. Everything is organized and they even sell some books in the…read morefront area before you enter the full library. Cool idea.

We booked the Uncovering Ca' d'Zan Guided Tour ($40 per person) before flying to Florida. The tour…read morelasts about 60-70 minutes and includes the main rooms on the first floor, a peek into the Tap Room with stories about indulgence and Prohibition during the 1920s, as well as select spaces on the second, third, and fourth floors of the Ringlings' magnificent waterfront mansion. I'm so glad I booked this tour! it was the highlight of our Florida trip. Our tour guide, Susan, was professional, knowledgeable, and full of humor. She made the entire experience both informative and relaxing. Ca' d'Zan is simply breathtaking. This stunning Mediterranean Revival mansion sits on the shores of Sarasota Bay and was built in the mid-1920s as the winter retreat of American circus magnate, entrepreneur, and art collector John Ringling and his wife, Mable Burton Ringling. Although the mansion is over 100 years old, it still radiates the glamour, elegance, and artistic vision of the Ringlings. Every room is filled with exquisite craftsmanship and thoughtful details that reflect their passion for art and architecture. One of my favorite features was the magnificent ceiling paintings by the Hungarian artist Willy Pogany. Each one tells a story from another era, preserving its beauty for generations to admire. Standing on the terrace overlooking Sarasota Bay, I couldn't help but be reminded of the atmosphere from the movie Great Expectations. There was something incredibly romantic, mysterious, and timeless about the view. To me, Ca' d'Zan feels alive. If you slow down and listen carefully, the mansion tells its own story. There is glamour. There is longing. There is sadness. There is hope. And somehow, there is a place for you within it. I absolutely fell in love with this place. Without a doubt, this was the best attraction we visited during our trip to Sarasota. I would highly recommend the Uncovering Ca' d'Zan Guided Tour to anyone visiting the area, and I will definitely return to explore the Museum of Art next time.

This was an amazing and incredibly surprising visit. I am a native of Ohio but have lived in…read moreFlorida over 30 years and this was our 1st visit to The Ringling. It is a little pricy but worth if you love art, the circus and beautiful places. We went to the house first and this is an amazing home. Beautiful use of color, marble and impressive architecture. Loved the window shapes, the floors and the attention to detail throughout the home. The view from the patio was amazing. The circus museum was informative. It was quite incredible the number of people it took to bring the circus to life. So spectacular . ..the shows, the animals and the presentation. The grill restaurant had delicious food with very pleasant staff. The gift shop was also amazing with unique toys and a nice selections of books about the Ringlung family. Lastly the art museum was breath taking with such beautiful Italian art. The courtyard also amazing. Loved this visit! We spent the entire day there with more to see. We plan to return to enjoy the new items under construction. We recommend a visit.

This is a great library. My closest library was at Mid-County Library at Forrest Nelson in Port…read moreCharlotte, Fl.. But that library got demolished in hurricane Ian in 2022. So sad. I hear rumors they may rebuild. Hope so. Anyhow, this library on Aaron St. is great and they have been busy trying to fill in for the the closed library. And I confess I love the FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. I donate and buy many books from the used book stores by the libraries. I just read (from their used book store) the play A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. I confess I never read it before and it was a fun fast read. Then I found the play on television and watched it. Loved them both.

From the owner: Free Wifi, Pubic Computers, Printing (charges apply)read more

Always on the lookout for something for the child and I do, I stumbled upon an Origami Festival…read morehappening here. We walked in and a large room up front had four tables set up with ladies showing groups how to make fun things with paper. It was such a wonderful way to spend the morning. If the baby hadn't started to get antsy, then the child and I would have spent all day there. Judy showed us how to make a few things and was patient with my son going through all the steps. As for the library, we had never been to this location. It was so clean. Not just tidy, but clean. Everything looked like it belong in that spot with no clutter. The kid's area was great for an antsy 2 year old to play and let off some energy. I tried to look for a book, but she wasn't having it so must of my time was in that space.

The mural on the building was done with vivid colors and beautifully done. The library was neatly…read morearranged with tons of reading materials. The children that were visiting were having loads of fun and considerate to other visitors