Community Corner
Summer Reading Program Provides Wide Variety of Activities for Kids of All Ages
The Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library's summer reading program provides a wealth of fun activities for kids of all ages this summer.
Whether kids are interested in Japanese drumming, seeing a parrot ride a bicycle, anime or wii gaming the The Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library is the place to be this summer.
The summer reading program, sponsored by Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, will provide a series of different shows, activities and classes for ages ranging from early preschool to teenagers.
"We've done this since the library opened in 1999," said Maureen Gauzza, president of the organization. "We are volunteer advocates and are here to support the library and help them fund educational programs for children, teens and adults."
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The cost of this year's summer reading program is approximately $2500. The majority of these funds were raised by volunteers who work in the library's bookstore and sell donated books to the public.
"We're very grateful for the support that Friends of the Library has given to us year after year that allow us to be able to run quality educational programs here at the library," said librarian, Beth Dolson.
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This summer's program, which will begin the first week of June and run through August, will feature a wide range of events for ages 3 and up that include puppet shows, story tellers and musicians.
"Now that school is out, this is a great opportunity for moms to find fun activities for their children throughout the summer," said Gauzza.
Highlighting some of the events at the library will be the Paradise Parrot Show, which will be an early evening event on 7/28 at 6 PM and will feature parrots performing all types of tricks.
Ronald McDonald will also visit the library on 7/20, and will conduct a series of interactive activities that include magic and humor to illustrate how books can take you anywhere you want to go.
Teenagers will also have numerous events to choose from including: an informative class on car buying for teens, using photoshop to create Japanese comic strips known as Manga and a course on creative blogging etc.
Events are free and will take place daily throughout the summer, Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays. For more information about specific events parents can contact the library at (813) 273-3652 or check their website: http://www.uppertampabaylibrary.org/