Tampa Bay History Center @ the Lutz Branch Library

Monday, Apr. 5, 7 p.m. Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road, West in Lutz FREE

Florida native Elizabeth Laramie Dunham, Vice President for Programs at the Tampa Bay History Center, will discuss the many treasures, both real and educational, of the Tampa Bay History Center, a state-of-the art interactive museum which preserves and teaches the remarkable history of the Tampa Bay area. Dunham, a Lutz resident, will also discuss the history of this local area.

For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

Puppet Show: Peter Rabbit

Multiple Showings throughout April Presented at the following libraries: FREE

April 5, 10:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m., Bloomingdale Regional, 1906 Bloomingdale Avenue in Valrico April 6, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., & 3:30 p.m., Upper Tampa Bay Regional, 11211 Countryway Boulevard April 7, 11:30 a.m., 78th St Community, 7625 Palm River Road

"Don’t go into Mr. McGregor’s garden!" warns Mother Rabbit. Unfortunately, Peter Rabbit’s craving for mischief gets the best of him. See what happens when little rabbits don’t listen to mama rabbits in this musical version of everyone’s favorite springtime tale. Hand and rod puppets are used to perform the story in a traditional hand puppet stage.

Join us for this great performance, recommended for ages 3 and up, by the Creative Arts Theater of the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department. For show times and locations and more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

Workshop: “Manners Do Matter”

Saturdays, Apr. 3 and Apr. 10, 2 p.m. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library

1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

Join us for a two-day manners and etiquette workshop for children ages 5-11 that offers a fun way to teach children the fundamentals of etiquette and great social skills. These two-hour sessions will include basic introductions, social etiquette, personal care, table manners and more.

Presented by Manners Do Matter LLC and funded by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library. Seating is limited. Call 273-3652 to register. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

FRESH LIT FOR SPRING

Wednesday, Mar. 31, 6 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Boulevard
FREE

Kick the tires on some amazing new poetry and fiction from University of South Florida's MFA creative writing students, featuring: Jaquira Díaz, Liz Kicak, Jim Miller, Brandon Pettit, Bryan Rice and Jared White. No money down, no interest! Guaranteed to take you someplace new!

Program is presented by the USF Dept. of English, Graduate Studies Creative Writing Program with refreshments provided by the Friends of the North Tampa Branch Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

PUPPET SHOW: LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Wednesday, Mar. 31, 2 p.m.
SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin
FREE

It only takes two steps off the straight and narrow path for everything to go wrong on the way to Granny’s house. Over the river and through the woods, Little Red Riding Hood is distracted on her journey and misses the biggest danger of all. Everyone gets to howl along with wild abandon during this upbeat musical show. Join us where laughter, clapping and heartfelt sighs are all a part of this sing-along marionette production.

After the show, enjoy a brief puppet making workshop and create your own puppet to take home with you.

Program is suited for ages 5-12. Presented by the Bits 'N Pieces Puppet Theatre and funded by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

POETRY: "OLD SCHOOL MEETS SPOKEN WORD"

Tuesday, Mar. 23, 6 p.m.
College Hill Branch Library, 2607 East Dr. MLK, Jr. Boulevard
FREE

Enjoy an evening of live and recorded poetry along with discussions with poets from the Tampa Bay poetry community.

For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

STAR PARTY

Monday, Mar. 22, 7 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 West Bearss Avenue
FREE

The St. Petersburg Astronomy Club will have telescopes for star gazers of all ages in the northeast corner of the Jimmie B. Keel Library parking lot. Come enjoy the night sky with your friends and your family!

Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

SUPER SATURDAY AT THE JOHN F. GERMANY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Saturday, Mar. 20, 2 p.m.
Super Saturday: March into Spring!
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Drive
FREE

Get rid of that winter chill by listening to stories about Spring and make a seasonal craft to take home.

For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

VEGETARIAN COOKING AT THE UPPER TAMPA BAY REGIONAL LIBRARY

Thursday, Mar. 18, 12:30 p.m.
Vegetarian Cooking with Debby DeGraaff
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
FREE

Ms. DeGraaff's, author of Light and Lean Vegetarian Cuisine, will present a cooking class on basic food preparation and include a healthy recipe sampling.

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

INTERVIEW SEMINAR AT THE NEW TAMPA REGIONAL LIBRARY

Wednesday, Mar. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Knock Their Socks Off with an Interviewing Edge
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard
FREE

In this informative seminar, Dr. Earl Paul of Hillsborough Community College/Brandon, shares insights into the interview process. The seminar will be divided into three main parts: the preparation prior to the interview, the interview itself, and the follow-up after the interview.

Seminar funded by the Friends of New Tampa Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

S.O.S. - SAFEGUARDING OUR SENIORS

Wednesday, Mar. 17, 1 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Avenue, Valrico
FREE

The Safeguarding Our Seniors program is an opportunity for seniors and their caregivers to learn how to guard against unscrupulous individuals, identity theft and scam artists. Every day, hundreds of Floridians fall victim to fraud. Many of these victims are trusting seniors who were talked into making risky or inappropriate insurance and financial decisions with unscrupulous agents and scam artists.

This program is co-sponsored by the Florida Division of Consumer Services and the Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

HOME HEALTH CARE OVERVIEW: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER

Tuesday, Mar. 16, 6 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 West Bearss Avenue
FREE

Speaker Mimi Buderus, Owner of Right at Home, answers typical questions: What is home care? How does it work? Who is it right for? How do you decide on a home care provider? In the second part, Shannon Martin of Aging Wisely answers questions on the duties and activities of a geriatric care manager.

This event is co-sponsored by the Senior Resource Council. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org.

EMPLOYABILITY WORKSHOP

Tuesday, Mar. 16, 10 a.m.
Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, 1505 Nebraska Avenue
FREE
In this half-a-day workshop, presenters from Dress for Success Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Work Force, Civil Service, and more will discuss skills needed to successfully enter or re-enter the work force. The various topics will cover: skills and traits valued most in prospective entry-level employees, resume writing, and interviewing tips.

The program will conclude with a job fair where prospective employers will be on hand accepting applications.

Registration required. Call 273-3652 or visit the information desk at the library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, please call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

LEARN TO CREATE; ARTFUL JOURNALING

Saturday, Mar. 13, 10:30 a.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Avenue, Valrico
FREE
Learn the many ways to add art to your journal -- and your life -- with instructor Laure Ferlita. Materials will be provided.

Class size limited to 20 with registration required in advance. This program is funded by the Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org.

TEEN TECH WEEK: LEARN! SHARE! CREATE!

Sunday, Mar. 7 - Saturday, Mar. 13 Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Avenue, Valrico FREE

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System is celebrating Teen Tech Week, March 8-14, by hosting Game Zone Tournaments at the following libraries:

Friday, Mar. 12, Bloomingdale Regional 3:30 p.m. Saturday Mar. 13, North Tampa Branch 1 p.m. Town 'N Country Regional 1 p.m. Jan Kaminis Platt Regional 1 p.m. and SouthShore Regional 3:30 p.m.

Additionally, there are many more fun programs for teens happening throughout the week that incorporate technology skills, so stop by your local library to Learn! Share! Create!

For general information about Teen Tech Week events, visit teens.hcplc.org. This web page highlights teen library news and also features a teen "blog," providing an online space where staff can communicate information about library programs and services. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

SENIOR RESOURCE COUNCIL PROGRAM SERIES

Thursday, Mar. 11, 6 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 South Manhattan Avenue
FREE

This series offers Information for seniors on a wide variety of health and life issues. Covered in tonight’s segment will be: "Get the FACTS on Reverse Mortgage" by Chris Bruser, MetLife, and "The Facts, Myths and Opportunities with Long Term Care Planning" by Kate Wilde, Long Term Care Specialist.

This Senior Resource Series will be occurring monthly throughout 2010. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

COMMUNITY HEALTH @ YOUR LIBRARY: COLORECTAL CANCER TREATMENT ADVANCEMENTS

Thursday, Mar. 11, 11 a.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive
Learn about colon health from a board-certified surgeon who will discuss the importance of colon cancer screening and the latest treatment for colon cancer.

Presented by Morton Plant Mease and St. Joseph's Hospitals, this program is the second in a series of the libraries partnership with BayCare Health System - National Health Awareness Campaigns. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org.