Selby Library, An Oasis Downtown

Sarasota has a habit of making things beautiful (well, with a few architectural exceptions downtown!). Selby Library looks like a graceful, gleaming mothership floating across from Five Points Park on First Street.


With columns that look like elephant legs, reminiscent of its circus heritage, the building offers shady relief from summer sun outside, and a 21st century research and reading facility inside.
On the first floor, you'll find the children's library, with a delightful entrance archway that's a real aquarium! On this floor are also new books, videos, books on tape, DVDs, and CDs. Also, a large magazine reading area and fiction collection.
Upstairs are numerous study pods with Internet computers. That's also where you'll find non-fiction, periodicals, quiet-rooms, and reference. There are meeting rooms on both floors. The facility has free wi-fi and work carrels, too. During Season, there are exhibits mounted on the mezzanine facade and in the center of the main floor.