From Crafts to Career Skills: January Brings Free Programs to Hillsborough County Libraries

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Dec. 31, 2025) - Join the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative for engaging, entertaining, and informative free programs for the entire family in January. The events listed below are only a sampling of the many scheduled. Find more listings under the "Events & Classes" tab at HCPLC.org.

The views expressed in these programs are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or opinions of Hillsborough County, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries, or the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc., which do not endorse the presenters. For more information about these and the many other programs at your library, call (813) 273-3652 or visit HCPLC.org.

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Holiday Closings

New Year's Day - All Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative libraries will be closed on Jan. 1.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - All Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative libraries will be closed on Jan. 19.

Gasparilla Parade Day - The John F. Germany Public Library will be closed on Jan. 31.

Introduction to Japanese Kumihimo Braiding

Thursday, Jan. 8, 3-4 p.m.
Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570

Discover the art of kumihimo, a traditional Japanese braiding technique. Learn how to create a beautiful, handcrafted corded bracelet. Recommended for teens. Registration is recommended.

Public Speaking for Teens

Practice public speaking skills in small group activities. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.

• Thursday, Jan. 8, 6-7 p.m. - New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647
• Thursday, Jan. 8, 6-7 p.m. - SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, Florida 33573

Movie Screening: "Zootopia" (PG)

Saturday, Jan. 10, 3-5 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618

Join us for a movie screening of "Zootopia" (2016). Synopsis: In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. Rated PG. Recommended for children ages 6-12.

Art Shop

Attendees will shop for art supplies with play money and are challenged to make a masterpiece while working within a budget. This program promotes financial literacy, decision-making, and creativity. Recommended for kids ages 6-12. Registration recommended.

• Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 a.m.-noon - 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Rd., Tampa, FL 33619
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 4-5 p.m. - Thonotosassa Branch Library, 10715 Main St., Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Introduction to BrainFuse HelpNow

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 4-5 p.m.
Thonotosassa Branch Library, 10715 Main St., Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Join us to learn about our online resource BrainFuse! Learn how to use their Live Tutoring, homework help, and study help features! Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.

Job Help for Teens

Monday, Jan. 26, 3-4 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604

Bring your job-seeking questions, and our staff can help you get started with conducting a job search, formatting a resume, locating interview prep resources, and addressing other career-related needs. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.

Master Gardener

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618

Discover the history of Florida's native plants and the importance of using natives to help support the pollinator insect, birds, and other animal populations. Recommended for adults.

Healthy Lawns, Lower Water Bills

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m.-noon
Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596

Learn how to conserve water, save money, and create a beautiful, sustainable landscape using the 9 Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles. Recommended for adults.

Fun with Florida Flowers

Thursday, Jan. 15, 6-7 p.m.
SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, Florida 33573
Learn about the amazing native wildflowers found in your own Florida backyard! Afterwards, make seed balls and pressed flower bookmarks to take home. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

Pet Suitcase

Join us and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and unpack a real pet's suitcase, identifying the importance of each item to the pet's welfare that teaches the responsibility of caring for a dog or a cat. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.

• Thursday, Jan. 15, 10:30-11 a.m. - Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569
• Friday, Jan. 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m. - North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604

Hip-Hippo-Hooray!

Attendees will learn about the hippo, its origin, history, and impact on different world cultures. Afterwards, attendees will create a hippo craft! Recommended for children ages 6-12.

• Thursday, Jan. 15, 4-5 p.m. - Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570
• Friday, Jan. 15, 3-4 p.m. - SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, Florida 33573

Dapper Dogs

Head to the library to learn about your favorite canines and then create a pop art inspired pup of your own. Recommended for kids. Registration recommended.

• Thursday, Jan. 15, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
• Wednesday, Jan. 28, 4-5 p.m. - North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604

Shore Birds for Kids

Flock to the library for an exploration of bird adaptations and make your own seagull puppet. Recommended for kids. Registration recommended.

• Wednesday, Jan. 21, 4-5 p.m. - Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
• Friday, Jan. 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
• Monday, Jan. 26, 3-4 p.m. - New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647

Feline Fantastic

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 3-4 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618

Enjoy this purr-fect presentation on cats and create your own box of kittens out of paper to take home with you. Recommended for kids. Registration recommended.

Mobile Device Basics

Learn features and functions of Android tablets and mobile devices. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

• Tuesday, Jan. 6, 4-5:30 p.m. - Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618
• Saturday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Egypt Lake Partnership Library, 3403 W. Lambright St., Tampa, FL 33614

Computer Basics

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33615

Learn essential computer basics, including how to start your computer, save files, and create folders. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

Internet Basics

Friday, Jan. 16, 4-5 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613

Learn basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of internet browsers, search engines, and websites. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

Canva for Work

Saturday, Jan. 17, 3-4 p.m.
Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603

Explore Canva, a free-to-use online graphic design tool, to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more at your job. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

Email Basics

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2-3:30 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596

Create an email account, perform basic email functions, and learn email tips and tricks. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

Resume Basics

Learn how to create and format a resume to best sell your skills and experience to potential employers. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.

• Wednesday, Jan. 21, 3-4:30 p.m. - West Tampa Branch Library, 2312 W. Union St., Tampa, FL 33607
• Wednesday, Jan. 28, 7-8 p.m. - C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610

Meet Our Resources: Kanopy

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 4-4:30 p.m.
Thonotosassa Branch Library, 10715 Main St., Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Learn how to access digital library content step-by-step, using Kanopy.

Learn how to access free educational shows, foreign films, and movies. Recommended for adults. Registration Recommended.