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The Venice library was established in 1965 and extended five times to accommodate for the undersized space and the growing population.

History
In 1965, the Venice Nokomis Women’s Club library established the 8000 square foot public library known today as the Venice Public Library to compensate the growing need for space. Contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and a proposal from the County to contribute to operating expenses made it possible. The library soon opened to the public at 300 S. Nokomis Avenue on October 4, 1965. The Friends of the Venice Library group operated the library with financial support from Sarasota County until 1977 when it became part of the Sarasota County Library System. In 1979, the Friends and the County funded a 10,000 square foot addition to accommodate the growing community. The Friends added another 800 square feet in 1984. The additions proved that the library was needed and well received by the community. In 1993, a 6000 square foot expansion, funded half by the community and half by the County, was completed. The 24,800 square foot library located in the downtown City of Venice currently houses some 105,385 volumes and serves a population of 51,104.

Architect
In the City of Venice, located at 300 South Nokomis Avenue, the original Venice Library building was constructed in 1964. Since then, Five additions have been made to this facility, following a major renovation and expansion in 1993 including the Friends of the Library bookstore. Later in 2005, a computer lab and children’s program room, added another 900 square feet. Along with Selby Library, Venice Library is one of two system facilities open on Sunday. The rest of the libraries are open Monday through Saturday. The system Interlibrary Loan service is housed here and the library has been designated a National Literary Landmark in honor of children’s author Walter Farley who lived in Venice.