Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library

08/27/2026

We're heartbroken to share the passing of country music legend, cultural icon, and champion of literacy Dolly Parton (), at the age of 80. Her father never learned to read, so in 1995 she founded the Imagination Library in his honor, mailing free books to children every month. He later told her it was probably the most important thing she'd ever done. Thank you, Dolly. We will always love you. 🦋

08/27/2026

😢

The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, not only a talented musician, but also a true titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library has received multiple Library of Congress Literacy Awards and, in 2018, Dolly visited us to donate the program’s 100 millionth book to our collection. She even hosted story time. 🦋❤️

Watch the video of her story time reading at the Library. ⬇️ https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/12/dolly-parton-the-library-that-dolly-built/

Image: Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.

08/24/2026

Check out the Carousel bookstore for how to books and support your library in the bargain!

Kids can't be the only ones learning new skills as they go back to school. Break out the sewing needles, paint brushes, pots and pans, your tool box, or whatever you need with these insightful books centered on everything from making bread to restoring furniture.

Gain new skills as you follow along with these helpful titles: ow.ly/AqfH50ZAFqp

08/23/2026

Did you know that we have a Carnegie library in Tampa? It’s the West Tampa Branch 📚❤️

We’re taking a look at one of Andrew Carnegie's lasting legacies—the Carnegie library—in this story from the ALA Archives.

Read more at https://bit.ly/4xT1LT2

08/23/2026

Thank you, librarians. ❤️📚

08/18/2026

08/16/2026

How many have you read? You can find a number of these great books in our Carousel Bookstore.

The top 100 novels of all time published in English, as voted for by authors, critics and academics worldwide. How many have you read?

08/16/2026

08/15/2026

08/13/2026

Join us for Leah's Pantry: Around the Table, an interactive, trauma-informed nutrition lesson, presented by Feeding Tampa Bay. The lesson is designed to build food, nutrition, and cooking literacy, while integrating social emotional learning and using trauma-sensitive facilitation. Participants enjoy facilitated conversations, and interactive activities that support healthy connections to food, self, and community. Recommended for all ages.

Find this program happening at a library near you at HCPLC.org/Events.