Sanibel Public Library
Sanibel Public Library
5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Sanibel Public Library offers numerous services to patrons. In addition to books, the library contains an extensive AV collection, consisting of many entertaining, teaching, and how-to videos, books on both CD and digital format, plus DVDs, and music CDs. The Library provides public internet access, high speed WiFi, as well as printing services—no Library card required. If you do not live in Lee County Florida, you may purchase a Visitor Card for $10, good for one year. Use the Visitor Card to check out books, movies, cooking or birding kits, museum passes, music, magazines, and more—up to 30 items at one time. Also use your Visitor Card to download eBooks, magazines and audiobooks, or stream movies and music through the Library's eShelf collection. Sanibel Public Library hosts programs for kids of all ages throughout the year including storytimes, makerspace events, and special guests. Events are listed at the Library's online calendar.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
576 reviews
Excellent
502
Very good
64
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Barb W
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Solo
Due to Hurricane Ian, I requested the library purchase some books that would help people fix their landscaping and understand how to access a yard, pick the right plant for the right place, what to plant around retention ponds, etc. Books that would enable people to make their yards more resilient. These were not expensive books, and for a few hundred dollars the library could have provided much needed resources to the community. The library after many follow up emails refused, with no rationale whatsoever. Maybe people who don’t live on the island, have no background in native plant landscaping, and don’t understand what Ian was like should not be deciding what books islanders need to help themselves.
Written January 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Barb,
Thank you for your feedback. The Library is always happy to consider requests from fellow islanders about our collection. For more information about our collection development policy, you are welcome to reach out to us at islandlibrary@sanlib.org.
Written February 15, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LKM
New York City, NY237 contributions
Jan 2020
If you're staying on Sanibel for a good spell, check out (pun intended) the libary. It's simply gorgeous. There are beautiful shells on display in the lobby, lovely reading nooks, and a wealth of books.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Way860Deb
Roxbury, CT4 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
Sanibel Library has every book you ever dreamed of reading. You can become a guest member for only $10. With your membership you have access to thousands of online ebooks, audio books and videos. The librarians are very helpful and very nice. Thank you to Sanibel Library for making our Sanibel Vacation special.
Written December 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
a1963corvette
Winston Salem, NC388 contributions
Feb 2021
I needed to use the wifi for a private meeting so I reserved a study room. The facility was outstanding as were the staff. Getting me in right on time and providing great assistance. I highly recommend using the Sanibel Library.
Written February 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheri T
6 contributions
Dec 2019
We went to the library looking for a used puzzle to buy or take out while we were staying on the island. I am a librarian in my hometown so I was also interested in seeing what they had to offer. Beautiful library, Lots of nice ares and what a great staff, very helpful. One of the cool things that library patrons can check out are bagged cooking kits with recipes included.My husband and I both bought books from the used section.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brett Eubank
Lynchburg, VA4 contributions
Jun 2020
We enjoyed our first visit to the Sanibel Library having arrived on island a couple of days ago. As we walked into the lobby, we were blown away by the shell collection they had. It was a warm and inviting environment. As we went up the stairs to the main library we were thrilled to see how open and spacious the library was. The staff there was super knowledgeable and so friendly. She showed us how to sign our kids up for the summer reading program, which will allow them to not only receive prizes (books of course) but also donate a book to the Golisano Children's Hospital. I also enjoyed the screened porch area that had ample seating to enjoy the outdoors while reading. We can't wait to come back!
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becca H
Dedham, MA22 contributions
Dec 2018 • Family
We woke up to a chilly day here on Sanibel and were looking for an indoor activity. We attended storytime with our 3 and 5 year old, and it was great!! I highly recommend a visit!
Written December 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen M
Pittsburgh8 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
What a nice little library! We got a visitor card so we could borrow childrens' books (yay, less to carry in my suitcase), pleasure reading for myself and my husband, and DVDs to watch in the evening (adult and kids). The space is very comfortable with a place for the kids to hang and play (the boat is really cute), very friendly and helpful staff, and more than enough for a week's vacation.
Written November 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeyBoy12804
Queensbury, NY240 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
As a visitor in the area you're not likely yo be a member of this library or capable of borrowing books. On the other hand....Sanibel Island really has no used book stores but if you go in to this library they usually have a well stocked room of used books available for sale at very inexpensive prices. So it works out well for the library...they make a few bucks and you get an inexpensive good book to read on the beach.
Written April 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you MikeyBoy, for your wonderful review!
If you stop by in the future ... if you do not reside in Lee County, FL you are actually able to purchase a SPL Visitor Library Card, which will allow you to borrow books, movies etc., AND eBooks, for one year. Visitor cards are available for a $10 fee.
There is no card needed to use the computers in the Tech Area.
Thanks again for taking time to review the Library!
Written May 12, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
joniefitz4
Ames, IA306 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
I am/was a librarian, so I like to check out libraries when I travel. Sanibel's Public Library is a jewel. We biked in to the area, which is west of Jerry's. The library has a wonderful shell collection, but the real good "stuff" is upstairs. You can check out laptops, dvd's, family games, cooking "bags", books, computer lab, this place is a gold mine for a traveling family.
No library card to the Sanibel Library, no problem. You can get a Visitor's Card for $10 annually. The library is nestled in a wonderful, traffic free area of Sanibel - yes they do exist.
No library card to the Sanibel Library, no problem. You can get a Visitor's Card for $10 annually. The library is nestled in a wonderful, traffic free area of Sanibel - yes they do exist.
Written December 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
if i am vacationing on the island. .can i use my IL library card to check out books?
Written October 29, 2016
Sanlib L
Sanibel Island, Florida
You may purchase a Visitor Card for $10, good for one year. Use that card to check out books, movies, music, magazines, and more -- up to 30 items at one time. Also use your Visitor Card to download ebooks and audiobooks, and stream movies and music through the Library's eShelf collection. And, use your Visitor Card to borrow a laptop PC or MacBook Air to use with the WiFi in the Library. To get a Visitor Card please bring in a photo ID, and we can issue the card in just a few minutes. Thank you!
Written October 29, 2016
Are printers available to print from Internet?
Written December 21, 2015
Sanlib L
Sanibel Island, Florida
Yes, you can print at Sanibel Public Library.
It is ten cents per page for black & white. One dollar for a color print out.
No charge to use the WiFi.
Please call the Library at (239) 472-2483 to ask a specific question about printing from the internet - ie: printing a webpage, or printing from an email.
thanks!
Written January 11, 2016
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