TAMPA – Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative offers engaging, entertaining and informative free programs for the entire family in July.
The events listed below are only a sampling of the many scheduled. Find more listings under the “Events & Classes” tab at HCPLC.org.
Shields Up! A Look in History
Learn about shields and armor that heroes carried into the battlefield.
- July 1, 2-3 p.m., Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa
- July 8, 11 a.m.-noon, New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
- July 9, 4-5 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
- July 13, 11 a.m.-noon, Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
- July 16, 3-4 p.m., Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- July 29, 4-5 p.m., Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa
Clay with Color Express
Teens will complete their clay masterpiece following step-by-step instructions. Materials provided. Registration recommended.
- July 1, 3-4 p.m., 78th Street Community Library, 7625 Palm River Road, Tampa
- July 8, 3-4 p.m., Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
- July 9, 3-4 p.m., Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview
- July 11, 3-4 p.m., Egypt Lake Partnership Library, 3403 W. Lambright St., Tampa
- July 23, 2-3 p.m., Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa
Creeping Cryptids – A Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Your family is off on an adventure to Revolutionary War tourist spots, but you are not as interested until you see clues that point to a hidden adventure with strange creatures around each corner. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- July 1, 3-4 p.m., Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- July 7, 3-4 p.m., Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa
- July 9, 3-4 p.m., C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
- July 9, 4-5 p.m., Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
- July 9, 5-6 p.m., Brandon Regional Library, 619 Vonderburg Drive, Brandon
- July 13, 6-7 p.m., Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 2910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
- July 17, 3-4 p.m., Port Tampa City Library, 4902 W. Commerce St., Tampa
- July 22, 4-5 p.m., Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa
- July 22, 7-8 p.m., Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview
- July 24, 2-3 p.m., North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa
Medieval Chainmail Weaving
Learn the basics of chain mail and jump ring weaving and make a simple scale mail keychain to take home. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- July 1, 4-5 p.m., Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa
- July 8, 2-3 p.m., Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 2910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
- July 11, 2-3 p.m., Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
- July 16, 6-7 p.m., Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- July 23, 3-4 p.m., Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road, Seffner
- July 28, 11 a.m.-noon, Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
Epic Music Theater Workshop!
Write and perform an epic musical with Shana Banana. Students will co-create a song and story to present a mini-musical to friends and family members. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- July 6, 2-4 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
The Road to the Declaration of Independence
This lecture charts how protest became revolution from British taxes after the French and Indian War to Boston’s defiance, “Common Sense,” and Jefferson’s words that forged American Independence. Learn to create expressive portraits inspired by arts and culture. Work with colored pencils using an aromatherapy blending gel. No prior drawing experience necessary. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- July 7, 11 a.m.-noon, Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
- July 24, 11 a.m.-noon, Charles J. Fendig Public Library, 3909 W. Neptune St., Tampa
The Hero’s Journal
Learn about the hero’s journey and start to write your own tale with world-building activities. Record your adventure in a journal you can take home with you. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- July 8, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa
- July 8, 7-8 p.m., C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
- July 11, 10:15-11:45 a.m., Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa
- July 11, 3-4:30 p.m., New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
- July 21, 6-7 p.m., Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- July 22, 2:30-4 p.m., John F. Germany Public Library, 900 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa
- July 24, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview
- July 28, 3-4 p.m., Bloomingdale Regional Public Library, 1906 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico
- July 28, 6:30-8 p.m., Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
Art Conversation
A museum educator from the Tampa Museum of Art leads an interactive discussion. Recommended for adults. Registration recommended.
- July 10, 11 a.m.-noon, C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
- July 14, 11 a.m.-noon, Riverview Public Library, 9951 Balm Riverview Road, Riverview
Star Lab with MOSI
A portable planetarium recreates the night sky complete with stars and constellations. Listen to star stories and learn how to distinguish types of stars and navigate using the night sky. Recommended for teens. Registration recommended.
- July 10, 2-3 p.m., Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa
Didgeridoo Adventure Down Under
Hear mythical Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and colorful Aussie tales that take you to explore Australia from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback. Recommended for children. Tickets will be available at the marked service point 15 minutes prior to the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
- July 13, 11 a.m.-noon, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- July 15, 3-4 p.m., Town ‘N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa
Secrets of the Swamp with Florida Aquarium
What secrets could the swamp be keeping? Students will go on a virtual journey through Florida’s treasured wetlands with a live species ambassador native to the swamp. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- July 15, 2-3 p.m., North Tampa Branch Library, 8916 N. Boulevard, Tampa
- July 24, 3-4 p.m., Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, 13619 N. 22nd St., Tampa
Bits N Pieces Puppet Theater – “Rumpelstiltskin”
In this lively marionette adventure, Rumpelstiltskin spins more than straw into gold. With music, mischief and humor, the story becomes a celebration of honesty, teamwork and the magic of reading. Recommended for children. Registration recommended.
- July 21, 3-4 p.m., Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road, Seffner
