New Year, New Virtual Library Programs In Brandon Area

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Children and families can take advantage of free learning and fun virtual library programs offered throughout the month of January in Hillsborough County, a news release said.

The virtual programs and descriptions are listed below by the Hillsborough County Library:

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Mon., Jan. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Parents, caregivers and educators: It's never too early to start children on the path to literacy. This session will outline the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten project and some pro-tips to get you started. The program concludes with a reading in English and Spanish of “Good Night Moon,” written by Margaret Wise Brown. For ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Tech Topics Series

• Smart Phone Location Services, Wed., Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
• Password Managers, Wed., Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
• Browser Plugins, Wed., Jan. 20 at 5:30 p.m.
• Photo Editing Apps, Wed., Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Dip into a wide variety of short sessions under the technology umbrella in this new weekly technology skills series. For all ages. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

How to Pay for College: Choosing the Best Financial Fit for Your Family
Thurs., Jan. 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Once you have identified sources to pay for college, how do you compare your options? Lori Nadglowski from Laurel Wealth Management will share tools to help find the best fit based on your child's aspirations and budget. For teens and adults. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Story Time with ZooTampa: Shapes and Patterns in Nature
Monday, Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Stories, action rhymes, songs, and interactive activities online make up this special program that combines an animal experience while highlighting early literacy skills, reading readiness, and social interaction. Presented in partnership with ZooTampa and the Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa. For ages 3-6. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Planet Hunting
Friday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
What exists beyond our cosmic backyard? Explore alien exoplanets with MIT’s Natalia Guerrero and learn how science and technology are instrumental to space exploration. Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Mission. For ages 7-12. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Story Time with ZooTampa: Senses in Nature
Monday, Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Stories, action rhymes, songs, and interactive activities online make up this special program that combines an animal experience while highlighting early literacy skills and encourages reading readiness and social interaction. Presented in partnership with ZooTampa and the Lowry Park Zoological Society of Tampa. For ages 3-6. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Parent Connect: PreK and Elementary School
Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Parent Connect is an online meetup for parents and their friendly local librarians. Information will be shared in an open, supportive environment. Have you cracked the code on a tool for school or family-friendly resource? Bring it with you! For caregivers of children ages 3-9. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Parent Connect: Middle and High School
Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Parent Connect is an online meetup for parents and their friendly local librarians. Information will be shared in an open, supportive environment. Have you cracked the code on a tool for school or family-friendly resource? Bring it with you! For caregivers of children ages 10-18. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Fun Wise® Math at Home
Thursday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m.
Fun Wise® Math is an innovative program that makes learning fun by exercising minds and bodies. Numbers, counting, patterns, geometry, and early arithmetic come to life through math games. Kids are having so much fun that they hardly realize they are learning, too. Presented by Carrie Scheiner of Fun Wise® Math. For ages 3-6. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. Funded by the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc.

The History of Gasparilla
Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The legend of Jose Gaspar and the story of Gasparilla (celebrated in Tampa for more than 100 years), is intertwined with facts, fallacies, and fantasy. Tales of buried treasure and pirate ships continue to capture our imagination. Presented by Carl Zielonka in partnership with Tampa Bay History Center. For teens and adults. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Bricks 4 Kidz: Master LEGO Building with Mr. John
Monday, Jan. 25 at 4:30 p.m.
Mr. John from Bricks 4 Kidz will show participants how to become LEGO Master Builders with his online class that teaches various building methods and techniques. Whether you have a small or large amount of LEGO bricks, all skill levels of builders are welcome to participate in this fun and educational event. For ages 5-12. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. Funded by the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc.

Kids Read! Book Club
Monday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the best parts of January’s kid book club title, “Granted” by John David Anderson. This book is available in print and eBook formats with your library card. Check out your copy through the library catalog and read along with us. For ages 7-11. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Teens Read! Book Chat
Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the best parts of January’s teen book club title, “A Very Large Expanse of Sea” by Tahereh Mafi. This book is available in print and eBook formats with your library card. Check out your copy through the library catalog and read along with us. For ages 12-18. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Into the Interstellar Unknown
Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
What can we see of worlds beyond our own? Celebrate the library’s New Gear, New You month with MIT’s Natalia Guerrero as she brings you the latest from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA TESS Mission. For teens and adults. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

Adults Read! Book Conversation
Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the best parts of January’s book club title, “The End We Start From” by Megan Hunter. This book is available in print and eBook formats with your library card. Check out your copy through the library catalog and read along with us. For adults. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

One Book, One Night: “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
Friday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Stay grounded (and entertained) in the aftermath of the holiday season with Guy de Maupassant's classic “The Necklace,” a short story written in 1884 about longing for luxury. Start online as we read the beginning excerpt in English, Spanish, and French. For teens and adults. Register through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.