Kick off Summer Reading with a colorful art adventure at the Leon County Public Library! Dive into a world of art, color, creativity, and fun as we explore the magic of art through hands-on crafts and exciting games. From mixing and blending colors to creating unique masterpieces, kids will have a blast experimenting with different artistic techniques. With plenty of playful activities and surprises along the way, this is the perfect event for young artists who love to get creative! 

Enjoy a colorful celebration of music from around the world! A trio of professors from FAMU and FSU will demonstrate how American jazz blends with global musical traditions. Join the conversation about the history and future of traditional music.

Join us for a creative afternoon of mosaic-making! Use colorful broken tiles to design your own unique garden paver — a beautiful and functional piece of outdoor art. No experience needed — we'll provide the materials and guidance.

Embrace the joy of imperfection! Teens are invited to a high-fun, low-stress painting workshop where you'll paint over a provided artwork to create your own masterpiece — or disaster-piece. Whether you transform it into something new or just give the Mona Lisa a mustache, it's all about having fun with creativity.

In this interactive presentation, children will meet local mural artist, illustrator, and portrait painter Franzlinez aka Kowosòl and explore the vibrant murals that bring Tallahassee to life. They’ll learn how large-scale public art comes together — from tools and sketches to the final masterpiece — then create their own artwork inspired by the city’s beauty using techniques shared by the artist. This hands-on experience fosters creativity, community appreciation, and a deeper connection to public art.

Teens, come learn the basics of henna and explore its rich history! Discover its cultural significance and design your own unique temporary tattoo in a fun, creative atmosphere.

A parent or legal guardian must sign a physical activity waiver for teens to participate. Complete the physical activity waiver.

Join the Tallahassee Writers Association for valuable insights and practical advice to help aspiring children's book authors bring their stories to life.

WFSU’s Summer Challenge brings educational fun to families across the Big Bend. This summer-long event encourages kids to explore their community and learn about the people who help it thrive. The 2025 theme, The Learning Neighborhood, introduces children to different careers and community roles. Kids can earn prizes by completing activities in a free activity book, available at local libraries and schools. Families are also invited to free camp days featuring PBS KIDS episodes, read-alongs, hands-on activities and take-home goodies— with new themes each week!

Space is limited — register today!

Step into the world of William Shakespeare in this lively program, where you’ll see, hear, and interact with the Bard himself. Who knows? You might even perform alongside him!

Explore the science behind the Japanese art form gyotaku in this hands-on program. Participants will learn about bony and non-bony fish, discover the unique traits of echinoderms, and compare human and fish anatomy — then create their own marine print to take home.

Calling all creative teens! Ready to turn your artistic passion into a brand? Join Amanda Karioth Thompson, founder and CEO of AKT Artful, for a fun and informative arts entrepreneurship workshop. You’ll learn the basics of building a creative business and design your own logo — no experience needed. Walk away with a logo that reflects your vision and the tools to start building your brand.

Get creative this summer with visual art and the written word! Teens are invited to explore the art of collage while crafting unique poetry.

Using cut-out words and images, participants will create visually striking poems that express their personal style and voice.

Whether you're a poet or just like using scissors, this workshop is cut out for fun and creative freedom. All materials provided — just bring yourself!

Love soul, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, gospel, blues, and more? Test your music knowledge in an exciting Black Music Jeopardy game! Challenge yourself with questions about legendary musicians, chart-topping hits, and the cultural impact of Black artists throughout history.

Join us for a colorful art adventure! Youth will explore a variety of styles and artists through fun, hands-on projects. Whether you're just getting started or already love to create, this is a great way to express your creativity and try something new.

Are you a storyteller, actor or audio enthusiast? Here's your chance to shine by creating a play in one act! Write the script, perform the voices and edit the sound effects in this immersive experience. Whether you're into acting or tech, you'll be part of the creative process from start to finish. Bring your ideas to life and experience the magic of theater — all in one day!

Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, Odder. 

Everyone wants to meet Odder, the Queen of Play. Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself―and about the humans who hope to save her.

Katherine Applegate’s Odder, is inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. This poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.

Register for this virtual Author Talk at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

View upcoming Author Talk programs and recordings of past talks at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

The Author Talk series is sponsored by the Friends of the Leon County Public Library.

Explore a wide range of creative activities and maker tools. Whether you're crafting with Perler beads, making unique cards, experimenting with dot painting, creating a junk journal, practicing visible mending, or trying out craft kits, the Open Lab offers something for every maker. Stop by for hands-on fun and unleash your creativity.

Get creative and make your own custom buttons! Use fun materials, tools and designs to craft unique, wearable art that shows off your style or shares a message. This hands-on activity is a great way to explore the button-making process from start to finish — and leave with something totally you.

Ready to turn your passion into profit? Join us for an energizing workshop where you’ll learn how to transform your hobby into a side hustle. Whether you're into crafting, digital art, gardening, or any creative pursuit, we’ll show you how to monetize your skills.

Find out how to identify your target market, build an online presence, and use smart marketing strategies to promote your passion project. This workshop is perfect for hobbyists looking to earn extra income while doing what they love. Don’t just dream it — make your hobby your next big thing!

Our teacher Trip Wyckoff recommends coming to the event with some ideas for your business and also looking at the “Starting a Business In Tallahassee” website to prepare.

Trip Wyckoff is the Business & Entrepreneurial Outreach librarian at Florida State University, specializing in student start-up and business research. He leverages his extensive experience in competitive intelligence and knowledge management to support students and faculty in their entrepreneurial endeavors, fostering innovation and business development. He also walks, a lot.

Come explore the local maker scene! Meet groups and businesses that are all about creating in our community. While you're here, you'll get to make fun and unique items to take home. Dive into a variety of hands-on activities and discover all the creative possibilities right in your own backyard.

Get ready for glowing fun with music, games, and crafts under the blacklight. Dress in your brightest neon gear (optional) and join us for this glow-tastic summer event!

Get creative this summer with visual art and the written word! Teens are invited to explore the art of collage while crafting unique poetry.

Using cut-out words and images, participants will create visually striking poems that express their personal style and voice.

Whether you're a poet or just like using scissors, this workshop is cut out for fun and creative freedom. All materials provided — just bring yourself!

Join us for a wild and interactive adventure into the world of animal camouflage! Meet exotic guest animals — mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians — and discover the incredible ways they blend into their environments to survive.

Acompaña al autor e ilustrador Raúl the Third mientras nos habla de su libro ¡Vamos! ¡A leer! Conoce a Lobito y sus amigos mientras exploran el Festival del Libro Love de su biblioteca. Desde demostraciones de libros de cocina y talleres de cómics hasta creación de máscaras y clases de idiomas, esta biblioteca tiene algo para todos los gustos y Lobito está deseando mostrárselo.

Raúl the Third usa su cultura y su experiencia de crecer en la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México para inspirar su arte y sus historias. Se animará a los estudiantes a explorar su mundo a través de una perspectiva creativa. Se planea un dibujo conjunto y se recomiendan materiales y papel para dibujar.

Por Favor: Tenga en cuenta que esta fecha tendremos dos presentaciones de Raúl the Third: una en español y otra en inglés. Asegúrese de registrarse en el formato que prefiera.

Regístrese para esta charla virtual con el autor en LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

Vea los próximos programas de Charlas de Autor y grabaciones de charlas pasadas en LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

La serie Charlas de Autor está patrocinada por los Amigos de la Biblioteca Pública del Condado de Leon.

Join author and illustrator Raúl the Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read!. Meet Little Lobo and friends as they explore their library's Libro Love Book Festival! From cookbook demonstrations and comics workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone and Little Lobo can’t wait to show you. 

Raúl the Third uses his culture and his experience growing up on the US and Mexico border to inspire his art and his storytelling. Students will be encouraged to explore their world through a creative lens. A draw along is planned, drawing supplies and paper are recommended. 

Please note that we will be hosting Raúl the Third twice on this date, once in Spanish and in English. Be sure that you are registering for your preferred format.

Register for this virtual Author Talk at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

View upcoming Author Talk programs and recordings of past talks at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

The Author Talk series is sponsored by the Friends of the Leon County Public Library.

Experience a hands-on session exploring the art of dot painting! Participants will learn how to create artwork using small, distinct dots of color. We’ll explore the differences between dot painting, with its roots in Australian Aboriginal cultures, and pointillism, a style developed in the late 19th century. In this workshop, you’ll also design a small mandala — a fun and relaxing way to practice this creative technique.

"Rainbows and Spectrum" is a hands-on MagLab science program where kids explore the wonders of light, color, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Discover the magic behind rainbows and see how light shapes the world around us!

Experience the rich sounds of guitars and sitars in this dynamic musical program! Musician Chris Seepersaud will showcase styles from world music, jazz, soft rock, and blues while exploring the origins and cultural significance of the Indian sitar and the electric guitar. After the demonstration, participants can unleash their creativity by designing and decorating their own imaginative instrument.

Calling all adults for an afternoon of spontaneous, creative fun filled with splashes of color! Participants will experiment with various artistic mediums, freely expressing moods and themes — no rules, no boundaries, just pure creative freedom!

Join us for an art adventure where storytelling comes to life through color, materials, and form. Explore how art expresses emotions and ideas, and create your own visual story!

Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth. 

Legend is a dystopian novel where two unlikely characters, June and Day, cross paths in search for the Truth. Can they set aside their differences and preconceptions for the greater good? Readers will devour Marie Lu’s words as they are challenged to think critically about the world around them and reminded to never judge a book by its cover. Register now for an event you don’t want to miss!

Register for this virtual Author Talk at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

View upcoming Author Talk programs and recordings of past talks at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

The Author Talk series is sponsored by the Friends of the Leon County Public Library.

Experience a hands-on Rangoli workshop, where creativity meets tradition. Rangoli is a beautiful Indian art form that involves creating intricate patterns on floors or tabletops using materials like powdered limestone, rice flour, colored sand, and flower petals. Attendees will explore the history and techniques of Rangoli and create their own vibrant designs. All materials will be provided — just bring your enthusiasm!

Ready to turn your passion into profit? Join us for an energizing workshop where you’ll learn how to transform your hobby into a side hustle. Whether you're into crafting, digital art, gardening, or any creative pursuit, we’ll show you how to monetize your skills.

Find out how to identify your target market, build an online presence, and use smart marketing strategies to promote your passion project. This workshop is perfect for hobbyists looking to earn extra income while doing what they love. Don’t just dream it — make your hobby your next big thing!

Our teacher Trip Wyckoff recommends coming to the event with some ideas for your business and also looking at the “Starting a Business In Tallahassee” website to prepare.

Trip Wyckoff is the Business & Entrepreneurial Outreach librarian at Florida State University, specializing in student start-up and business research. He leverages his extensive experience in competitive intelligence and knowledge management to support students and faculty in their entrepreneurial endeavors, fostering innovation and business development. He also walks, a lot.

You’re invited to join us online with award-winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as written about in his book Free Lunch. 

Instead of giving him lunch money, Rex’s mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout.

Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble—all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. His mom and her boyfriend are out of work, and life at home is punctuated by outbursts of violence. Halfway through the semester, his family is evicted and ends up in government-subsidized housing in view of the school. Rex lingers at the end of last period every day until the buses have left, so no one will see where he lives.

Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace. Rex’s voice is compelling and authentic, and Free Lunch is a true, timely, and essential work that illuminates the lived experience of poverty in America.

Register for this virtual Author Talk at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

View upcoming Author Talk programs and recordings of past talks at LeonCountyLibrary.org/AuthorTalks. 

The Author Talk series is sponsored by the Friends of the Leon County Public Library.

The WFSU Summer Challenge keeps families learning and having fun all summer long. Complete activities from the free activity book, track your progress with photos, and earn points. At the end of the summer, bring your checklist and images to trade points for prizes from the WFSU store.

Free healthy, packaged meals are available to enjoy on-site for kids and teens 18 and under at the Leon County Main Library Monday through Friday from 2-3 p.m. from Monday, June 2 through Friday, August 1. No registration is required.

Free healthy, packaged grab-and-go meals are available for kids and teens 18 and under at the Woodville Branch Library Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. from Tuesday, June 3 through Friday, August 1. No registration is required. Caregivers can pick up meals for their children without the children present and can take meals for the whole week.

Free healthy, packaged grab-and-go meals are available for kids and teens 18 and under at the Ft. Braden Branch Library Tuesday through Friday from 2-4 p.m. from Tuesday, June 3 through Friday, August 1. No registration is required. Caregivers can pick up meals for their children without the children present and can take meals for the whole week.

Free healthy, packaged meals are available to enjoy on-site for kids and teens 18 and under at the Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library Tuesday through Friday from 3-4 p.m. from Tuesday, June 3 through Friday, August 1. No registration is required.