ROAD SCHOLAR ERSULA ODOM AT THE SEMINOLE HEIGHTS BRANCH LIBRARY

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries welcome Florida Humanities Council Road Scholar, Ersula Knox Odom on Saturday, February, 28 at 11 am to the Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Avenue, Tampa.

Travel back to 1954 and experience Odom’s portrayal of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune—a visionary educator, civil rights activist, presidential advisor and the founder of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Florida. Odom shares stories about Bethune’s life and accomplishments including her thoughts about the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.

In addition, Odom is the author of At Sula’s Feet, a collection of her memories about growing up with her grandmother in a rural town.

This program is cosponsored by the Development Committee, Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. and by the Florida Humanities Council. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

“DR. SEUSS CELEBRATION” AT THE COLLEGE HILL BRANCH LIBRARY

The College Hill Branch Library, at 2607 East Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Tampa, will host a "Dr. Seuss Celebration" on Saturday, February 28 from Noon - 2 PM.

Come to this all-ages event celebrating Dr. Seuss: There are stories and cake, a hat you can make, lots of Dr. Seuss fun in which all can partake!

This program is a coordinated production of radio station WMNF and Tampa AmeriCorps. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org

“POETRY & JAZZ” AT THE BRANDON REGIONAL LIBRARY

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host "Poetry & Jazz" on Sunday, April 5 at 2 pm at the Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, FL.

Please join us as we celebrate National Poetry Month at the Eighth Annual Poetry & Jazz event. Poets Philip Deaver, Peter Meinke, Gianna Russo and Helen Pruitt Wallace will read some of their original works with jazz accompaniment provided by Michael Ross on upright bass and David Pate on saxophone.

This program is cosponsored by the Friends of the Brandon Library— Brandon Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652, or visit hcplc.org.

To learn more about the some of the artists above, please visit them at their websites:

Philip Deaver: www.philipfdeaver.com/
Peter Meinke: www.petermeinke.com
Michael Ross and David Pate: www.michaelrossquartet.com/presskit.htm

“THE MUSIC OF DUKE ELLINGTON” AT THE WEST TAMPA BRANCH LIBRARY

Celebrating Black History Month, the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System presents “The Music of Duke Ellington” at the West Tampa Branch Library on Saturday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 West Union Street, Tampa.

Vocalist Perley Rousseau and pianist Sonny Daye will perform a concert filled with warmth and humor highlighting the life and music of Duke Ellington. Interesting facts about his life are shared along with his music including “A-Train,” “Satin Doll,” and “Sophisticated Lady.”

This program is cosponsored by the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR TO SPEAK AT THE LUTZ BRANCH LIBRARY

Dr. Susan MacManus, a Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Political Science at the University of South Florida will speak at the Lutz Branch Library at 101 Lutz - Lake Fern Road, Lutz, on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm. Dr. MacManus’ topic for the evening will be: “Based on the 2000 Florida Election: A Look Back at the 2008 Election and Forward to the 2010 Election.”

With a Ph.D in Political Science from Florida State University, a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in Government from Florida State University, Dr. MacManus’ topics of expertise include: campaigns and elections, redistricting, women and minorities in politics, election reform, media and politics, public opinion polls, government budgeting and finance, Florida politics—all levels, intergenerational issues and public policies.

Please join us for a stimulating, informed discussion about the political election process in Florida. There is no charge for this event.

This program is cosponsored by the Friends of the Lutz Branch Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652, or visit hcplc.org.

"TWILIGHT BALL" AT THE JIMMIE B. KEEL REGIONAL LIBRARY

The Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 West Bearss Ave., Tampa, will host a "Twilight Ball" on Saturday, February 14th from 6 - 10 PM
for teens, ages 13 - 19.

Inspired by the popular Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, this dance event was conceived by teens for teens. Additionally, the Teen Advisory Board of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library played a large role in the planning of this program. Several librarians will be in attendance to oversee the event.

There will be door prizes and refreshments. Dressing up in attire relating to the books is encouraged. Tickets are required and can be picked up at the Jimmie Keel Regional Library.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

LITERACY COUNCIL TO HOST ESOL TUTOR TRAINING AT THE LIBRARY

The Hillsborough Literacy Council will host an ESOL Tutor Training on Saturday, February 21 from 9 am to 6 pm at the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 West Union Street, Tampa.

The training is for adult volunteers who are interested in teaching English to adult speakers of other languages. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school degree or the equivalent. Knowledge of a language other than English is not required. The cost of the training is $30 and all materials are provided.

The Hillsborough Literacy Council is a nonprofit affiliate of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System that teaches functionally and marginally illiterate adults to read and write through its Adult Basic Literacy program.

For more information and/or registration please call Nilda at (813) 273-3650.

LIBRARY WELCOMES TUSKEGEE AIRMAN

Celebrating Black History Month, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System welcomes Tuskegee Airman, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Hiram E. Mann, on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 South Manhattan Avenue, Tampa.

Wednesday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin.

Wednesday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Hiram E. Mann takes part in our Black History Month celebration by sharing his experience as part of the "Tuskegee Airmen" during WWII. These men were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee Alabama. They pride themselves on never having lost a bomber they escorted in World War II.

Dr. Mann will discuss being one of the first 450 black airmen to serve combat missions which paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military. In honor of his heroic service, Dr. Mann was honored in 2008 with the Congressional Gold Medal.

This program is cosponsored by the Friends of the Library Development Committee, Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library and the Friends of the New Tampa Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

LIBRARY PRESENTS “FAITH, SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE: DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE”

Celebrating Black History Month, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System presents "Faith, Scholarship, Service: Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune," on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, 11211 Countryway Boulevard, Tampa.

Saturday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Avenue, Tampa.

Travel back to 1954 to meet the founder of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona, Florida-a visionary educator, civil rights activist and presidential advisor. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, portrayed by Ersula Knox Odom, shares stories about her life and accomplishments, and her thoughts about the Supreme Courts decision about Brown vs. Board of Education.

Ersula Odom is a writer, performer, and professional speaker. She holds a theater degree from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her work has been featured widely in local publications, as well as on television and radio programs throughout the Tampa Bay area. She is the author of At Sula’s Feet, a collection of her memories about growing up in a rural area with her grandmother.

This program, presented by the Florida Humanities Council, is cosponsored by the Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, Friends of the Library Development Committee, and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

ROSE BILAL AT THE COLLEGE HILL BRANCH LIBRARY

Celebrating Black History Month, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System welcomes Rose Bilal on Wednesday, February 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the College Hill Branch Library, 2607 East Dr. MLK, Jr. Boulevard, Tampa.

Rose Bilal, a jazz vocalist whose work is highly treasured in the Tampa Bay area, has toured nationally and internationally with world-renowned musicians such as John Lamb, bassist for The Duke Ellington Band and Kenny Drew Jr., world famous pianist. She will perform a few jazz numbers and will also read from her autobiography Don't Blame the Road. Questions from the audience about her life and work as a musician, visual artist, actor and writer will be welcome.

This program is sponsored by the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.