Library

Lakeland History & Culture Center Lecture Series

Join us at the Lakeland Public Library on Saturday, October 11th at 10 AM as Drew Smith, associate librarian emeritus at the University of South Florida Libraries in Tampa, presents "Collaborative Trees: Making Them Work for You."

Drew Smith, who specializes in genealogical research is the co-host of The Genealogy Guys Podcast and the host of the Genealogy Connection podcast. He is a founder and administrator of The Genealogy Squad Facebook Group, with over 72,000 members, and writes a regular productivity column for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Drew co-authored the book Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques and is the author of the book Organize Your Genealogy: Strategies and Solutions for Every Researcher. His latest book, Generation by Generation: A Modern Approach to the Basics of Genealogy, was published in 2023 by Genealogical Publishing Co. Drew is the 2024 recipient of the Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck Distinguished Service Award, presented annually by the Dallas Genealogical Society to an individual for outstanding contributions to the genealogical community on a national level.

Sponsored by Imperial Polk Genealogy Society and Lakeland History and Culture Center

Find out more information about "Collaborative Trees: Making Them Work for You"  No registration is required. All ages welcome.

Swiftie Bingo (Taylor's Version) at Jackson Branch

Love's a game, wanna play? Swifties of all ages are invited to the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library on Monday, October 13th from 5:30 PM to 7 PM for a Taylor Swift-themed bingo in celebration of The Life of a Showgirl! Upon arrival, you will receive your Taylor-themed bingo cards and will be able to play for prizes.

No registration required. Please try to arrive by 5:30 pm to not miss any of the fun!

Questions? Contact Cassie Walters-Shantal at 863.834.4294 or email cassandra.walters-shantal@lakelandgov.net

Family Movie at Jackson Branch October 13th

School's out and Experiment 626 is loose, so join us for a family movie, Lilo & Stitch (2025), from 10-12 pm on Monday, October 13th at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library. No registration required, and movie snacks will be provided. Children under the age of 10 must remain with their grown-up in the library and throughout the program.

Official Movie Synopsis

A live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, “Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. Lilo & Stitch (2025) is rated PG. © 2025 Walt Disney Pictures.

Questions? Contact Cassie Walters-Shantal (863) 834-4294 or email cassandra.walters-shantal@lakelandgov.net

A History of Music with Edwin Culver

Music has returned to the Lakeland Public Library!

Classical guitarist, Edwin Culver, will be performing on October 14th at 5:30 pm to take listeners on a musical journey through history. Grab a seat in the Meeting Room to listen as Culver performs pieces that are centuries old to showcase how music has developed over time.

All ages are welcome. No registration is required.

Questions? Contact Emilee Addair at 863.834.4267 or email Emille.Addair@lakelandgov.net

Preschool Storytimes at Lakeland Libraries

All three Lakeland Library locations have preschool storytimes for children ages 2-5 and their grownups! With stories, songs, rhymes, and activities, storytimes promote the development of preliteracy, verbal and listening skills, and socio-emotional skills.

Kelly Branch Library Storytimes (10:15 AM select Tuesdays) 
October 21

Lakeland Public Library Storytimes (10 AM select Wednesdays) 
October 15, 22, 29

Larry R. Jackson Branch Storytimes (10 AM select Thursdays) 
October 9, 16, 23

Larry Jackson Branch Library Bilingual Storytime (10 AM last Thursday of the month) 
October 30

For more information, please contact the Kelly Branch Library 863.834.4286, Lakeland Public Library 863.834.4268, or Larry R. Jackson Branch Library 863.834.4288  

¡La biblioteca viva! Spanish Book Club

Únase con nosotros en nuestra discusión de libro en español, ¡La biblioteca viva!, un club de lectura donde las historias cobran vida a través de la conversación y la interacción.

Aquí, cada libro es una puerta abierta a nuevas ideas, culturas y emociones, transformando la experiencia de leer en un viaje compartido. ¡Ven y sé parte de una biblioteca que respira, escucha y conecta! La biblioteca viva se reune el segundo martes a las 5:30 PM de cada mes en la biblioteca principal de Lakeland. Registración no es necesaria. Programa solo para adultos.

El libro para el mes de octubre es Gótico, de la autora Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Para más información se puede comunicar con Angeles Otero o Luis Perez al teléfono 863.834.4276 o 863.863.4264.

Hurricane Guide

Hurricane season begins June 1st and ends November 30th

Find  information about weather alerts, safety information, sandbags, shelters, updates about City services and closures and more from the City of Lakeland's Hurricane site and Polk County Hurricane Preparedness site. 

Additional hurricane preparedness resources from the National Weather Service include:

National Hurricane Center 

National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness guide 

Safety Tips and Resources from the National Weather Service