Upcoming meetings Exhibit and Volunteer Info. This is the only volunteer support organization for the library. The library is financed largely by Sarasota County, however, contributions from The Friends, and other private donations,enrich and expand the resources and services of the library with offerings not otherwise possible through county budgets. Some of these include donations to expand the library's collections and to purchase needed equipment, special programs for children and adults, and free lectures and performances.
Volunteers also staff the library bookstore and gift shop located in the library.
The new Selby Library at Five Points Park has made an architectural and an informational imprint on the downtown area. There is an increased capacity for print and media collections, as well as an expanded range of electronic resources. The library continues to serve the community as one of its most visible educational and informational institutions. Currently, the Selby Library offers over a quarter of a million books, periodicals, audio and video recordings, and software programs to the 1,500 patrons who utilize the library each day. Each year reference librarians answer more than 236,000 questions.