Library

Holiday Closing

The Lakeland Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 5th, for the Easter holiday.

We will reopen on Monday, April 6th at 9 am.

Youth Intermediate Sewing Saturday on April 11th at Jackson Branch

We've got sewing machine basics, where can we go? Join us on Saturday, April 11th at 10:00 am at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library for projects to sew!

Older kids and teens ages 9-17 who have taken our Spools Out for Summer sewing series or have hands-on experience using a sewing machine independently are invited to join us for a free 90-minute class. Sewing Saturday is limited to eight (8) participants and registration is required. Each participant must be registered separately.

April's Project: Fabric Tie Basket

**Please note, this is not an introduction to sewing or sewing machines. Students need to have some basic experience using a sewing machines to participate.**

**NOTE: This April project is the same as the Sewing Saturday class on March 14, 2026. If you attended the March 2026 Sewing Saturday, you are not eligible to register for this class. Any repeat registrants will be removed from the class list.**

Find out more information or register beginning at 10 AM on April 4th.

Spanish for Beginners 10-Part Series

Are you interested in learning Spanish? Join us at the Lakeland Public Library on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3 PM to 4:15 PM, April 13th-May 13th, for a 10-part Spanish language course designed to give you a basic understanding of the language. Think of it as Spanish 101! Worksheets will be provided, but feel free to bring a notebook, pencils, a Spanish-English dictionary, or anything else that will help make this exciting experience even more effective.

These 10 sessions are immersive, and consistent attendance and commitment are essential. Once you sign up, you’ll be enrolled in all 10 sessions, as each one builds on the previous class.

This event is for ages 18+. Registration is required and opens Monday, April 6th at 3 PM.

Questions? Contact Ángeles Otero at 863.834.4276 or email Ángeles.Otero@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) 
April 7, 21

Lakeland Public Library Storytimes (10 AM select Wednesdays) 
April 8, 29

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

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

There Is a Beautiful Land

...Where all your dreams come true;
It's all tied up in a rainbow,
All shiny and new;
But it's not easy to find
No matter what you do.

Lakeland was known as the "Citrus Center" for decades due to the number of groves, packinghouses and citrus processing plants in the area. The Florida Citrus Commission and Florida Citrus Mutual were both, at one time, located in Lakeland. 

Enjoy this "There Is a Beautiful Land" photographic stroll through Lakeland's citrus history, showcased from our Flickr digital collection.

eBooks, Audiobooks, and Movies Anytime!

Download and enjoy up to 10 ebooks, audiobooks, and movies on your tablet or mobile device for free with OverDrive.

Create a free account with your library card and browse hundreds of titles, with new content added all the time. Plus, Lakeland users have access to additional OverDrive ADVANTAGE titles too!

For a quick and easy way to borrow and read from your library, download and try the Libby app, brought to you by Overdrive!

Build Your Song Library

Access millions of songs and artists with freegalmusic+. Download and keep 5 songs each week absolutely FREE! Plus, unlimited music streaming! Even better? 15,000+ Music videos are available too! 

Visit Freegal Music to get started!