Paws For Reading - National Pet Week May 2-8

At four locations:

May 3 at 3 p.m.: Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico

May 6 at 3 p.m.: 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road in Tampa

May 7 at 3 p.m.: College Hill Branch Library, 2607 E. Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Blvd. in Tampa

May 8 at 11 a.m.: Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon

FREE

Celebrate National Pet Week with Paws for Reading! Children will have the opportunity to practice reading to a certified therapy dog and make a simple craft. Interacting with dogs in the library is an incentive for the children to read and write. Dogs are non-threatening entities that promote reading, writing, and increased interaction and social skills for elementary school-age students.

These programs are for children in grades K-5. The PAWS for Reading Program is one of the newest programs started by Support Dogs, Inc. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org.

NATIONAL DAY OF PUPPETRY FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 1, 11 a.m. Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa FREE

A FREE event for the entire family with puppet shows, make-n-take puppet crafts, puppet karaoke and more!

This event co-sponsored by the Florida Suncoast Puppetry Guild and the Puppeteers of America, Inc. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

MOMS AND MUFFINS

Saturday, May 1, 10:30 a.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin FREE

Join us for stories and goodies. It's a special time just for busy moms and their children.

Registration required; please call 272-3652 or stop by the information desk at the library. This program is 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/.

BE KIND TO ANIMALS DAY

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa
FREE

National Pet Week, May 2 – 8, kicks off with a visit from the Hillsborough County Animal Services Mobile Adoption RV. Adorable dogs and cats will be available for adoption. There will also be information on volunteer opportunities, dog-bite prevention, and pet health. Donations of pet treats, gently used towels, sturdy waterproof toys, and other supplies will be accepted for shelter animals. Special prizes for extra-kind kids!

This program is made possible thorough a partnership with Hillsborough County Animal Services. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

PUPPET SHOW: "H2OLogy"

Friday, Apr. 30, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
FREE

Join Master Puppeteer Jerry Bickel for an amazing adventure into an underwater world with Georgie Grouper and friends. These hand-crafted, classic rod puppets are a treat for children and offer plenty of giggles to go around when the wise manatee, dancing dolphins, talkative turtle, and shifty shark get together in this whale of a tale about the seven seas.

Seating limit: 75. Free tickets available one hour before the program. Funded by the Friends of Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library and presented by the Bits N Pieces Puppet Theatre. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

THE COLUMBIA RESTAURANT: CELEBRATING A CENTURY OF HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CUISINE

Thursday, Apr. 29, 6:30 p.m.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd.
FREE

Relive over 100 years of history as local author Andy Huse describes the evolution of one of Tampa’s timeless treasures, the Columbia Restaurant. Huse will have copies of his new book, The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine, available for sale and to sign.

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

TEEN POETRY CAFE

Thursday, Apr. 29, 6 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave.
FREE

Join us in celebration of National Poetry Month as teen poetry enthusiasts are invited to share an original poem, a favorite published work, or simply listen to great poetry over a cup of java and dessert at this "open mic" event.

Event is for teens in Middle and High School and funded 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/.

"OLD SCHOOL MEETS SPOKEN WORD"

Tuesday, Apr. 27, 6 p.m.
College Hill Branch Library, 2607 E. Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Blvd.
FREE

Celebrate National Poetry Month with an open mic and poetry reading featuring the poets and Spoken Word artists of College Hill and beyond.

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

Teen Poetry Slam Workshop

Thursday, Apr. 22 & Friday, Apr. 23, 4 p.m. Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

Join us in celebration of National Poetry Month with nationally renowned Spoken Word Artist Adrienne Nadeau. Nadeau will conduct this two-day workshop where teens have an opportunity to work on their poetry and then demonstrate their "skillz" against each other in a Poetry Slam.

Registration required in advance at the Reference desk. Program 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 http://www.hcplc.org/.

Knock Their Socks Off With The Interviewing Edge

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

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

Sign up sheet will be available 1/2 hour before program. Program 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 http://www.hcplc.org/.

AN EVENING OF SPOKEN WORD WITH VENUS JONES

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 6:30 p.m.

Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Rd. in Seffner FREE

Celebrate National Poetry Month and join us for an evening of poetry with local poet Venus Jones.

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

MARIPOSA MARTINEZ AND MORE TALES FROM LATIN AMERICA WITH KATIE ADAMS

Saturday, Apr. 17, 2 p.m. John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Drive FREE

Lights! Color! Action! Come celebrate Dia de Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libros with us. Storyteller and puppeteer, Katie Adams, performs Hispanic stories with a dash of Spanish words and a splash of colorful shadow puppets.

Funding provided by Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

THE 7 SECRETS TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING

Saturdays, Apr. 17 & 24 11 a.m.

Town ’N Country Regional Library, 7606 Paula Dr.

Tuesday, Apr. 20, 7 p.m. New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard FREE

Nyela Oluchi Hope will talk about how stress takes a toll on one's health, relationships, children, work and personal happiness. She will offer tips on how to live the life you deserve. Hope is a Certified Professional Life Coach and author of three award winning books.

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

POETRY & ART: WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS

Friday, Apr. 16, 10:30 a.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin FREE

Join us in celebration of National Poetry Month! Pick up a piece of chalk to create art based on the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein as you color on the sidewalk outside in front of the library.

Program is for school aged children ages 5-12 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/.

COMMUNITIES THRIVE! HENRY B. PLANT, KING OF FLORIDA

Tuesday, Apr. 13, 7 p.m. Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road West, Lutz FREE

Gianna Russo, Curator of Education at the Henry B. Plant Museum, will present the talk "Henry B. Plant, the King of Florida." Plant is responsible for opening up the west coast of Florida and for putting Tampa on the map; yet, few folks are aware of the significant impact of this forward-thinking entrepreneurial pioneer.

Russo will cover 10 things you may not know about Henry B. Plant, and in doing so will give detailed background about Plant’s life, his career, his fabulous Tampa Bay Hotel and his impact on Tampa. The talk will be enhanced by vintage photographs. A question and answer session will follow.

This program is part of our National Library Week "Communities Thrive" celebration. Program co-sponsored by the Henry B. Plant Museum and the Friends of the Lutz Branch Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

WONDERS OF NATURE WITH MATT EDMONDS

Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2 p.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin FREE

Join us for this unique animal show featuring flying raptors and parrots, and reptiles, including one of the largest pythons in the world. This show combines humor, conservation, and audience participation.

Program is for school age children ages 5-12 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/.

Communities Thrive @ your library: National Library Week Open Houses and Receptions

April 11 - 17 Multiple Libraries: John F. Germany Public Library, New Tampa Regional, Seminole Heights Branch, Jan K. Platt Regional, SouthShore Regional, Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library, Sulphur Springs Partnership, Upper Tampa Bay Regional, West Tampa Branch, Bloomingdale Regional, Seffner/Mango Branch, Brandon Regional FREE

It’s National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians and library workers in schools, campuses and communities nationwide. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.

Libraries are the heart of every community and help them to thrive. In Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries, people of all backgrounds come together for lectures and programs, to learn about latest technologies, to do research with the assistance of trained professionals, to get homework help, and to learn more about online employment and government resources.

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

The Battersby Duo

Saturday, Apr. 10, 1:30 p.m. Town ’N Country Regional Library, 7606 Paula Dr. FREE

The Battersby Duo, a nationally acclaimed musical act that has played Sesame Street, the Today Show, and the White House, will perform songs to celebrate reading, libraries, and spring. Come celebrate the season and National Library Week with a delightful program for the whole family.

Program funded by the Friends of the Town 'N Country Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

Learn To Create - Altered Books

Saturday, Apr. 10, 10:30 a.m. Bloomingdale Regional Public Library

1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico FREE

Instructor Rebecca Journey-Smith will teach the technique of Altered Books, a fusion of personal journaling, scrapbooking, collage, painting and more. Some materials will be provided. Ask librarian for additional supply list.

Class size limited to 20. Registration required in advance. 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 http://www.hcplc.org/.

Auditions For "Phantom Of The Library"

Thursday, Apr. 8, 6 p.m.Temple Terrace Public Library
202 Bullard Pkwy., Temple Terrace
FREE

We will be rehearsing and/or auditioning for our hilarious spoof, "Phantom of the Library." We always need additional actors, extras, and other helpers, so newcomers are welcome! The play will be performed in August. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit www.hcplc.org.