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  • Circa 1951 aerial photo of workers harvesting oranges below text "Pioneering Polk County Citrus with Dr. Canter Brown, Jr.; Thursday, January 29th at 5:30 PM" and Lakeland History & Culture Center logo with text Lecture Series and Lakeland Public Library Meeting Room; link to Library events calendar

    Lakeland History & Culture Center Lecture Series

    Join us at the Lakeland Public Library on Thursday, January 29th at 5:30 PM as Dr. Canter Brown, Jr. presents about how citrus developed into a premier commodity in Polk County – a top producer for the State’s citrus industry – in "Pioneering Polk County Citrus."

    Canter Brown Jr. is an historian, professor and author. He was born in Fort Meade, Florida, and earned his degrees at Florida State University. He taught at Florida A&M University and has worked at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. He is the author or co-author of thirteen books about Florida and southern United States history. These include the book, Florida’s Peace River Frontier, which earned him the Florida Historical Society’s Rembert W. Patrick Award, and the book Ossian Bingley Hart: Florida’s Loyalist Reconstruction Governor, which won the Certificate of Commendation of the American Association of State and Local History, about Ossian B. Hart, one of Florida’s Reconstruction era governors.

    In addition to Florida’s Peace River Frontier, Dr. Brown has also written two other books specific to Polk County. At the request of the Polk County Historical Association, he prepared the county’s prized two-volume history that covers early times to 2000: In the Midst of All That Makes Life Worth Living: Polk County to 1940 and None Could Have Richer Memories: Polk County Since 1940. He has also written extensively about his hometown in the book, Fort Meade, 1849-1900. His most recent work, issued in 2019 by the University of Alabama Press, was Henry Plant: Gilded Age Dreams for Florida and a New South.

    No registration required.

    Find out more information about "Pioneering Polk County Citrus".  No registration is required. All ages welcome.

  • Bear and rabbit illustration playing card game on blue background with text "Larry R. Jackson Branch Manga & Anime Club, Learn to play Karuta! A Japanese new year card game; 3-4:30 PM, Ages 13-17; Sat., January 24th"; link to Library events calendar

    Manga & Anime Club at Jackson Branch Library

    Calling all 13 to 17-year-old anime fans! The LJB Anime club is dedicated to all things manga and anime! We have crafts, anime-related activities, art materials, and snacks. Bring your opinions, recommendations, and come hang out! Join us on Saturday, January 24th from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library!

    Please note that some shows might have content intended for a PG-13 audience.

    Questions? Contact Marine Acosta Ponce 863.834.1828 or email marine.acostaponce@lakelandgov.net for additional information.

  • Crime scene tape, handprint, handcuffs, and two magnifying glasses with text "Lakeland Public Library Mystery Theater Presents A Killer Retirement Party; Friday & Saturday, January 30th & 31st, 6 PM-7:30 PM. Registration required. Ages 18+."; link to Lakeland Libraries' events calendar

    Murder Mystery Theater

    You’re invited to the retirement celebration of a beloved (and perhaps notorious) office colleague. But not everything is as cheerful as it seems. When a shocking crime interrupts the festivities, it’s up to you to solve the mystery. 

    Join us on Friday, January 30th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM or Saturday, January 31st from 2 PM to 3:30 PM at the Lakeland Public Library for this interactive murder mystery event. Work to uncover hidden clues, question suspects, and piece together the puzzle in this interactive murder mystery game that is to die for. Let the investigation begin!

    Registration is required. The murder mystery program is the same on Friday and Saturday; please only register for one of the dates. This event is for ages 18 and up. 

    Registration for the Friday evening event (January 30th) will open on Friday, January 23rd at 4 PM

    Registration for the Saturday matinee (January 31st) will open Saturday, January 24th at 2 PM.


 

  • Weathered headstones in field of grass and small yellow flowers and gray skies with text "Stories & Stones walk and talk tour of Lakeview Cemetery, Saturday, January 24 @ 9 AM; registration required."; link to library events calendar

    Stories & Stones Walking Tour

    Join us on Saturday, January 24th at 9 AM for a walking tour of Lakeland’s oldest cemetery, Lakeview Cemetery. Explore local history through the stories of past residents and learn about the meanings behind funerary symbols.

    Stories and Stones Historic Cemetery tours are offered monthly, alternating between Lakeview, Tiger Flowers, and Roselawn Cemeteries. Tours run October through March and are for ages 13+. Registration is required.

    Find out more information and register beginning Saturday, January 10th at 9 AM.

  • Five seated children looking off screen smiling; link to Lakeland Libraries' Storytime Programs event calendar

    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) 
    February 3, 17

    Lakeland Public Library Storytimes (10 AM select Wednesdays) 
    January 28

    Larry R. Jackson Branch Storytimes (10 AM select Thursdays) 
    January 22

    Larry Jackson Branch Library Bilingual Storytime (10 AM last Thursday of the month) 
    January 29

    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  

  • Twinkle lights, red and plaid scarves, pinecones, candy canes, red and white twine, and mug of cocoa surrounding tablet device with OverDrive logo and OverDrive and Libby apps on screen

    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!