Hillsborough County, Fla. (Jan. 28, 2026) - 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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Book Discussion for Kids
Monday, Feb. 2, 6-7 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647
Join a discussion of "Chasing Vermeer" by Blue Balliet. When a book of unexplainable occurrences brings Petra and Calder together, strange things start to happen. Seemingly unrelated events connect; an eccentric old woman seeks their company; and invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, where no one is spared from suspicion. Recommended for children ages 9-12. Registration recommended.
Florida Friendly Landscaping Series: Starting a Personal Garden
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.-noon
Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, FL, 33629
Get practical tips and inspiration to begin your own personal garden, whether you have a spacious backyard or just a small balcony. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Hip-Hippo-Hooray!
Thursday, Feb. 5, 4-5 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Attendees will learn about the hippo, its origin, history, and impact on different world cultures. Afterward, attendees will create a hippo craft! Recommended for children ages 6-12.
- Saturday, Feb. 14, 3-4 p.m.
Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603 - Wednesday, Feb. 18, 4-5 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Recycle Yard Waste
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1-2 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL, 33611
Landscape maintenance activities like mowing, pruning, and raking help ensure the health of your landscape, but also generate yard waste. Learn how to reuse it to conserve nutrients. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Fun with Florida Flowers
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 4-5 p.m.
Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL 33556
Discover Florida's beautiful wildflowers and their importance in nature. Create your own colorful handprint garden inspired by native blooms. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.
- Wednesday, Feb. 11, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. S.E., Ruskin, FL 33570 - Thursday, Feb. 26, 4-5 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL, 33611
Challenge Island: Roller Coaster Ridge
Thursday, Feb. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL, 33611
Kids working together in STEAM Teams are encouraged to use imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges using low tech supplies. Recommended for kids. Registration recommended.
Film Screening: "The Princess and the Frog" (PG)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 3-5 p.m.
Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa, FL, 33629
Join a movie screening of "The Princess and the Frog" (2009). A waitress desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him. Recommended for kids ages 6-12. Registration recommended.
Deep Sea Adventure
Thursday, Feb. 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610
Hold your breath as we dive into the realm of the abyss. You'll get an up-close and personal look at the fascinating world of jellyfish. Explorers will get to paint a bioluminescent jellyfish. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.
Job Help for Teens
Thursday, Feb. 12, 6-7 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL, 33647
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.
Computer Basics
Learn essential computer basics including how to start your computer, save files, and create folders. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2-3:30 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596 - Friday, Feb. 20, 4-5:30 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Star Gazers an Introduction to the Night Sky
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Dr., Brandon, FL 33511
Join a "night-time adventure" and learn about the stars to create your own constellation. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration is recommended. Be advised the room will be dark for a large portion of the program in order to see the constellations.
Canva for Work
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m.-noon
78th St. Community Library, 7625 Palm River Rd., Tampa, FL 33619
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.
Internet Basics
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 3-4 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615
Learn basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of internet browsers, search engines, and websites. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Career Exploration for Teens (in person)
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 4-5 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL, 33596
Complete a quiz assessing your career interests and explore your career matches. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
Fiero Code for Teens
Thursday, Feb. 19, 5-6 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Learn about life as a programmer from real-life coders via video and get started with Fiero Code. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
Meet Our Resources ABC Mouse
Friday, Feb. 20, 11 a.m.-noon
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa FL 33647
Learn how to access and use ABC Mouse for your child's education. Play games, download activities, and track their progress. Digital learning for ages 2-8+. Registration recommended.
Makerspace Orientation
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
Visit the John F. Germany Makerspace for an overview of the devices and software available for use; featuring the Cricut Maker 3 electronic cutting machine, the t-shirt press, and more. Recommended for adults. Registration Recommended.
ICY SCI
Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-noon
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL, 33569
Join a fun-filled science spectacular where kids can't help but grow in the learning process, as they witness firsthand that science is fun! Recommended for children ages 6-12.
Monarch Migration
Saturday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-noon
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596
Learn about the most abundant and widely recognized butterfly in the world, the monarch. This amazing species travels 3,000 miles over two months during its annual migration. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
For the Love of Reading
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
Kids meet up for literacy activities and games. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.
Genealogy for Kids
Friday, Feb. 27, 3-4 p.m.
SouthShore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
Create your own family tree with a little help. Recommended for children ages 6-12. Registration recommended.