HURRICANE BLITZ SEMINAR

Saturday, May 29, 11 a.m.
SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin
FREE

Come out and welcome WFLA-TV's newest meteorologist to South County. Brooks Garner, keynote speaker at this year's Hurricane Blitz Seminar, will be joining WFLA’s staff on May 3rd to take over the weekend evening meteorologist position.

Garner got his first taste for weather when Hurricane Gloria assaulted his Rhode Island neighborhood back in the 80s, knocking down 150-year-old trees and sending seagulls flying backwards. Years later, he bicycled across the country, from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles -- a 4,000 mile trip in six weeks -- and personally experienced virtually everything nature has to offer.

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

MEET THE METEOROLOGIST

Friday, May 28, 11 a.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin FREE

Fox 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg will make his annual visit to SouthShore Regional Library to answer your questions about the Florida Gulf Coast's unique weather patterns and the approaching hurricane season.

Dave Osterberg is a meteorologist and co-host of FOX 13's popular morning show, Good Day Tampa Bay. Originally from Warwick, Rhode Island, he joined the FOX 13 team in March of 2004. He received a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Rhode Island and graduated from the Broadcast Meteorology program at Mississippi State University.

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

AUTHOR TALK: MACK HICKS AND "DIGITAL PANDEMIC"

Sunday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa
FREE

From sundials to digital watches, smoke signals to cell phones, the telegraph to text messaging, technology has eased many aspects of daily life. But, Mack Hicks wonders, at what price? In his provocative new book, Hicks explores how the digital revolution has caused society to become increasingly reclusive.

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

SCRATCH DAY

Saturday, May 22, 2010 To celebrate Scratch Day, learn the dynamic programming language developed by the MIT Media Lab that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web.

10 a.m.: Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico

10:30 a.m.: Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 North Kingsway Road, Seffner

11 a.m.: Science Library @ MOSI, 4801 East Fowler Avenue in Tampa

2 p.m.: John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Drive in Tampa

2 p.m.: Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave. in Tampa

2:30 p.m.: College Hill Branch Library, 2607 East Dr. MLK, Jr. Blvd. in Tampa

3 p.m.: Sulphur Springs Partnership Library, 8412 North 13th St. in Tampa FREE These programs are for children and/or teens, check with your branch for details. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

CELTIC MUSIC

Wednesday, May 19, 2 p.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin FREE

Jessica Conlan-Glover and John McEwen are local traditional Celtic musicians from the Tampa area. They met at an Irish Session at Four Green Fields in Tampa and found they had similar interests in music and singing. They host an Irish Session @ Tampa Bay Brewery in Ybor City the third Sunday of each month. John plays with many different local bands and was the founder of the Irish band Pooka. Jessica is also a visual artist and specializes in painting Irish musicians.

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

Jump, Jive And Jam!

Tuesday, May 18, 11 a.m. Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

A fun and funky high-energy movement class incorporating the right amount of fitness, fun and music to stimulate both the body and the mind.

Appropriate for children ages 3 - 6 and their caregivers. 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 http://www.hcplc.org/.

Children's Book Week Celebration

Saturday, May 15, 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m. program at Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico

2:30 p.m. program at North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Boulevard in Tampa FREE

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with a great program that includes stories, songs, activities, crafts and a very special guest, Max from the popular children’s book series, Max & Ruby by Rosemary Wells.

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

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sunday, May 16, 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 South Manhattan Avenue
FREE

The Friends of the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library invite you to their Spring Book Sale May 15 and 16. The thousands of books going on sale will include adults and children's fiction, biographies and classics, DIY and home & garden.

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

Mom And Baby Yoga

Wednesday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

Enjoy a yoga class designed for you and your baby to experience the peaceful benefits from yoga. You will learn yoga postures to help stretch, lengthen, and strengthen your muscles while playfully teaching your baby yoga too! No yoga experience is necessary. Please bring a yoga mat, a blanket for your baby to lie on and your child's favorite toy.

Registration is required at the Reference Desk or call 273-3652. 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 www.hcplc.org.

"TAKE 25" MINUTES WITH YOUR CHILD: ABDUCTION PREVENTION

Tuesday, May 11, 4 p.m. & Monday, May 17, 6:30 p.m.

May 11 Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 Central Ave. in Tampa

May 17 Sulphur Springs Library, 8412 North 13th St. in Tampa FREE

"Take 25" aims to heighten awareness of children's personal safety issues by encouraging parents, guardians and other to take 25 minutes out of their day to talk to children and bring attention to the issues surrounding missing and exploited children.

"Take 25" is an initiative of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

BOOKS WE LOVE TO SING

Tuesday, May 11, 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa
FREE

Celebrate Children's Book Week with us! Join presenter Christine Van Horn for a children's book sing-along and more.

Seating limit: 75 with free tickets available one hour before the program. 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.

BLUES @ YOUR LIBRARY®

Saturday, May 8, 2 p.m. Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon FREE

Lose your blues and listen to Dr. Scott Simon's live guitar performance. A music scholar and professor at USF, Dr. Scott will also illustrate and expand on jazz connections.

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

Mad Hatter Tea Party With Mom

Saturday, May 8, 2:30 p.m. Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico FREE

Celebrate mom at this Mad Hatter Tea party and wear your MAD Hat. Learn about tea, play trivia, and show off your MAD Hat in a parade.

Register at the Information Desk or call 273-3652. 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/.

WOMEN'S HEALTH FAIR - FREE

Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. Town ’N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive in Tampa FREE

May is National Women’s Health Awareness Month. Come and get the latest information on important women’s health topics: osteoporosis, mental health, high blood pressure, and physical fitness. Tampa Bay Black Nurses Association will be testing for: diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index (B.M.I.) and more.

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

WICKED LOVELY MASQUERADE

Friday, May 7, 7 p.m. New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard in Tampa FREE

This fun event will include dancing and other activities inspired by Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely novels. Join us for lots of fun, games and a presentation of "Overdrive," the library's digital media catalog. Drop off musical requests at any time in the selection box at the Reference Desk and dedicate a tune to your friends!

This program is for teens, ages 13-19. Free tickets are available at the New Tampa Regional Library. Funded by the Friends of the New Tampa Regional Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

GRANT-SEEKING ONLINE @ YOUR LIBRARY ®

Join us at the library for this two-hour class designed for representatives from non-profit organizations seeking grant money. It will include instruction in the use of the Foundation Center’s online database as well as print resources.

Wednesday, May 5, 10 a.m.
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N Ashley Drive in Tampa
FREE For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

MONEY SAVING TIPS WITH THE COUPON QUEEN

Tuesday, May 4, 6 p.m. Riverview Branch Library, 10509 Riverview Dr., Riverview FREE

Join us for a lively, informative program and start saving money with Carrie, the Coupon Queen. Carrie helps consumers maximize savings to minimize spending. She is passionate about coupons, and wants to share her enthusiasm with as many people as possible.

This program is funded by the Friends of the Riverview Branch Library. For more information about this and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit http://www.hcplc.org/.

ANIMAL HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS

Tuesday, May 4, 3 p.m. SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin FREE

Celebrate National Pet Week and learn about animal health and safety with a visit of special furry friends from Hillsborough County Animal Services.

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/.