October programs invite all ages to explore Florida's haunted past, uncover Revolutionary-era secrets, and get creative with hands-on crafts
Hillsborough County, Fla., (Sept. 28, 2026) - Join the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative for engaging, entertaining, and informative free programs for the entire family in October. 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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Exploring the World of Flags: America's 250th Edition
Friday, Oct. 2, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Explore the world through flags. Flags are everywhere, sometimes in unexpected places! Learn about the variety of flags that surround us in everyday life and create a decorative door flag. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- Exploring the World of Flags: America's 250th Edition
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615 - Exploring the World of Flags: America's 250th Edition
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 3-4 p.m.
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610 - Exploring the World of Flags: America's 250th Edition
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596 - Exploring the World of Flags: America's 250th Edition
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4-5 p.m.
Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL 33556
How to Crochet
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Interested in learning how to crochet? Join us for a beginner's class, and learn basic stitches and how to read a pattern! Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- How to Crochet
Saturday, Oct. 10, 3-4 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604 - How to Crochet
Friday, Oct. 16, 4-5 p.m.
Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
Thrills and Chills Genre Party
Thursday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33548
Join other fans of the horror book genre. Create origami bat bookmarks, play illustration games, and engage in several short writing challenges designed to spark laughter and entice the imagination. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- Thrills and Chills Genre Party
Thursday, Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m.-noon
Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa, FL 33616 - Thrills and Chills Genre Party
Monday, Oct. 19, 6-7 p.m.
Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618 - Thrills and Chills Genre Party
Saturday, Oct. 31, 3-4:30
Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
Stripped and Script: Loyalist Women Writers of the American Revolution
Thursday, Oct. 8, 7-8 p.m.
Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Rd., Riverview, FL 33569
In this talk, Dr. Kacy Dowd Tillman offers a new perspective on patriotism and the American Revolution by examining the letters and journals of Female Loyalists. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
The Science of Sea Monsters with Florida Aquarium
Monday, Oct. 12, 3-4 p.m.
Egypt Lake Partnership Library, 3403 W. Lambright St., Tampa, FL 33614
For years, tales were told of gigantic serpents, terrifying tentacled beasts, and mysterious creatures lurking beneath the waves. But what if many of these legendary "monsters" were just misunderstood marine animals? Participants will take a glimpse into the deep ocean waters utilizing interesting biofacts, drawing activities, and interactive slides to discover truth versus tale. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
Hand-Embroidered Greeting Cards: America's 250th Edition
Monday, Oct. 12, 6-7 p.m.
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596
Join us to learn about the history of greeting cards and make your own using beginner-friendly stitches to hand embroider a patriotic-themed card for a friend or loved one. All supplies provided. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- Hand-Embroidered Greeting Cards: America's 250th Edition
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m.
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602 - Hand-Embroidered Greeting Cards: America's 250th Edition
Friday, Oct. 16, 3:30-5 p.m.
Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570 - Hand-Embroidered Greeting Cards: America's 250th Edition
Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615 - Hand-Embroidered Greeting Cards: America's 250th Edition
Friday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Magical Academia Genre Party
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6:30-8 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604
Join other fans of magical academia in this fun writing party. Design your school, create spells, discover your rival, and bring it all together when you participate in The Trial. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Engine Visit
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2-2:45 p.m.
Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Join us for a fire engine visit! Observe the vehicle and its tools and gain insight into firefighting operations. Witness firefighters in their bunker gear and air packs, and firefighters will cover topics such as home escape plans and their community assistance role. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Engine Visit
Monday, Oct. 19, 2-2:45 p.m.
Ruskin Branch Library, 26 Dickman Dr. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570
STEAM Time: Invisible Ink for the 250th Anniversary
Thursday, Oct. 15, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610
Engage in a hands-on STEAM activity. Today's focus is invisible ink. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- STEAM Time: Invisible Ink for the 250th Anniversary
Friday, Oct. 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611
Florida-Friendly Landscaping: Going Batty
Saturday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-noon
Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico, FL 33596
Learn all about bats! What species we have in Florida, what they eat, how they hunt, and how they use ultrasonic systems to navigate. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Here There Be Dragons
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 3:30-5 p.m.
Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz, FL 33548
Join us as we learn about dragons in folklore from countries around the world! We will then make our own dragon egg replicas to take home. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- Here There Be Dragons
Thursday, Oct. 29, 4-5:30 p.m.
Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Rd., Odessa, FL 33556
Historical Time Travel Agency
Friday, Oct. 23, 4-5 p.m.
North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 North Blvd., Tampa, FL 33604
Come build a full advertisement for a time traveling experience using creativity, research skills, collaboration, and critical thinking with the Historical Time Travel Agency. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
The Haunted History of Florida
Friday, Oct. 23, 2-4 p.m.
Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa, FL 33615
Experience the darker side of the Sunshine State with this journey into Florida's most historic and unsettling hauntings. Explore ghostly legends rooted in real events and verifiable history. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
Movie Screening: "Five Nights at Freddy's" (PG-13)
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.
Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626
Join us for a movie screening of "Five Nights at Freddy's" (2023). Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
Loyalty and Allegiance During the American Revolution
Thursday, Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602
Come explore the variety of factors that could push people into one camp or another on American independence 250 years ago and the often-amorphous nature of Revolutionary loyalty. Recommended for adults.
Making Stickers with the Silhouette
Friday, Oct. 30, 4-5:30 p.m.
New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa, FL 33647
Learn about the Silhouette Cameo and make your own simple vinyl stickers. Bring a USB flash drive to save your designs. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.