"ROAD SCHOLAR" CHAZ MENA TO PORTRAY JOSÉ MARTÍ AT THE WEST TAMPA BRANCH LIBRARY

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries welcome Florida Humanities Council "Road Scholar" Chaz Mena on Saturday, April 25 at 1 pm to the West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 West Union Street, Tampa.

“Charla – A Chat with José Martí,” is written and brought to life by actor Chaz Mena. Mena’s one-man performance is set in 1891, with freedom fighter José Martí rehearsing a speech that he will deliver the next evening to a gathering of Cuban exiles in Tampa’s Ybor City. With time running out for the Cuban independence movement, Martí struggles to find the words that will spark the flames of revolution for Cuba’s freedom—Cuba Libre--from Spanish rule. Dr. Martí will answer questions from the audience after his speech, followed by a “charla” (chat in Spanish) with actor Mena.

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

AUTISM DISCUSSION AT THE NEW TAMPA REGIONAL LIBRARY

Behavior Analyst Jamie L. Granatino will discuss Autism characteristics, symptoms, possible causes and treatment options on Monday, April 27 at 11 am at the New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa.

Jamie L. Granatino has a MS degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. She has been working with children with special needs for ten years and is a board certified Behavior Analyst. She works for Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay.

This program is cosponsored by 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.

CELEBRATE CHARLOTTE BRONTE’S BIRTHDAY AT THE UPPER TAMPA BAY REGIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is pleased to celebrate Charlotte Bronte’s birthday on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 pm at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, 11211 Countryway Boulevard, Tampa.

Victorian scholar and Bronte expert, Dr. William Scheuerle, will provide background and stories about Charlotte Bronte. A birthday party will follow. Attendees are invited to dress in Victorian costume.

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

“ACOUSTIC BLUES” AT THE SOUTHSHORE REGIONAL LIBRARY

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is pleased to present "Acoustic Blues" at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin on Wednesday, April 8 at 2 pm.

Please join us for a performance by local musician Scott Simon. Simon is a singer/songwriter and finger-style guitarist with an earthy sound that combines his bluesy acoustic guitar playing, heartfelt vocals, and mystical lyrics. Free tickets available one hour prior to the beginning of the program.

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

EARTHLINGS WASHBOARD BAND AT THE SOUTHSHORE REGIONAL LIBRARY

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library is pleased to present the Earthlings Washboard Band at the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin on Tuesday, April 7 at 2 pm.

The dynamic duo of Ann Richards and K.C. Jones use a variety of folk and recycled instruments to showcase reading and library appreciation. Award-winning songwriters, singers and musicians, the Earthlings have performed over 4,000 shows in seven states and three provinces. Children, ages 5 – 12, join us and clap your hands to the beat.

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

SOUTHSHORE REGIONAL LIBRARY PRESENTS “PETER RABBIT: A PUPPET SHOW”

Join Tampa-Hillsborough County Library System for a Peter Rabbit show unlike anything you have seen or read before! Come to the SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, on Thursday, April 9 at 2 pm to enjoy the antics of the irrepressible character, Peter Rabbit. After the show, enjoy a brief puppet making workshop and create your own puppet to take home. Don’t miss a minute of the fun!

Presented by the Bits ‘N Pieces Puppet Theatre and cosponsored by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org

Hillsborough County Public Cooperative Presents “The Gingerbread Boy: A Puppet Show”

Join one of your favorite fairy tale characters, the Gingerbread Boy, as he runs away from the farmer’s wife, the farmer and a host of animals, too. The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative is pleased to host this delightful children’s tale presented by Creative Arts Theater of the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department at the following locations:

Ruskin Branch Library show held at the Ruskin Recreation Center, 901 6th St SE, Ruskin, Monday, Mar. 16 at 10:30 am.

Jan K. Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave. Wednesday, Mar. 18, at 10:30 am, 11:30 am and 3:30 pm.

Temple Terrace Library, 202 Bullard Pkwy., Temple Terrace, Friday, Mar. 20 at 3 pm.

Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tuesday, Mar. 24 at 10 am, 11 am and 3:30 pm.

Seffner-Mango Branch Library, at 410 N. Kingsway Rd., Monday, Mar. 30 at 3:30 pm.

For more information about these and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

UPPER TAMPA BAY REGIONAL LIBRARY PRESENTS “JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: A PUPPET SHOW”

From magic beans to a magic musical harp, the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, will present a live puppet show on Thursday, March 12 at 4 pm. Puppeteer Jerry Bickel brings the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk to life with the use of delightful marionettes. Afterwards, there is a workshop where you can learn to make your own puppets. Join us for this special afternoon program.

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

"ROAD SCHOLAR" DAVID COLBURN AT THE NEW TAMPA REGIONAL LIBRARY

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries welcome Florida Humanities Council Road Scholar David Colburn on Thursday, March, 19 at 7 pm to the New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa.

In his latest book, From Yellow Dog Democrats to Red State Republicans: Florida and Its Politics since 1940 (University Press of Florida, 2007), Colburn discusses the population growth and chaotic gubernatorial politics that altered the Sunshine State from 1940, when it was a sleepy impoverished southern outpost, to the present and the emergence of a dominant Republican Party.

From Yellow Dog Democrats to Red State Republicans: Florida and Its Politics since 1940 will be available for purchase and author signing.

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

"ROAD SCHOLAR" JEFF KLINKENBERG AT THE JAN KAMINIS PLATT REGIONAL LIBRARY

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries welcomes Florida Humanities Council Road Scholar Jeff Klinkenberg on Saturday, March, 14 at 1 pm to the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 South Manhattan Avenue, Tampa.

Jeff Klinkenberg, award-winning columnist, St. Petersburg Times writer and author, talks about the fascinating encounters between Homo sapiens and alligators from the 16th century to the present. He will discuss the history of the Florida dinosaur we call the gator. During his presentation, Klinkenberg insists that you keep your hands inside the boat.

Klinkenberg’s books, Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators and Seasons of Real Florida, will be available for purchase and author signing.

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

"ROAD SCHOLAR" ANDREW HUSE AT THE 78TH STREET COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries welcome Florida Humanities Road Scholar Andrew Huse on Saturday, March 14 at 1 pm to the 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road, Tampa.

Huse will discuss how Florida’s food and restaurants are as diverse as its people, and how they have changed throughout the 20th century. Huse offers a gustatory romp through modern cuisine, with a look back at union soup houses, African jook joints, shady speakeasies, drive-in burger stands and fish fries.

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

TEEN TECH WEEK GRAND TOURNAMENT THIS SATURDAY

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System is celebrating Teen Tech Week, March 8-14, by hosting a Rock Band 2 Grand Tournament on Saturday, March 7 from 10 am-4 pm at the Town ‘N County Regional Library, 7606 Paula Drive. Refreshments provided.

In addition, the library is pleased to announce that local band Envy, winner of the 2008 Hillsborough County Teenage Battle of the Bands, will be the guest judges and will perform a FREE live concert at the event!

For general information and tournament rules, visit teens.hcplc.org. This web page highlights teen library news and event listings. The site also features a teen "blog," providing an online space where staff can communicate information about library programs and services.

For any other questions, please contact Lorie Tonti, School Age Services Coordinator at (813) 273-3764.