Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
Updated October 4, 2024
A Note From the Pasco County Library System –
Many of our dedicated library team members are currently involved in Hurricane Helene recovery activities, leading to the cancellation of all Pasco Libraries programs until further notice*. While our branches remain open, please note that the Hudson Regional Library is closed as it serves as a comfort station. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
*Except for scheduled Starkey Ranch Theatre events and Zephyrhills Public Library.
Local libraries have long been a cornerstone in building a healthy, striving community, offering a place of great resources that can reach beyond the escape the perfect read can offer. The best offerings are pretty much all-encompassing whether it’s joining a book club, learning a language or how to dance, knit, play the ukulele – you name it. You can practice yoga or meditation. Watch a movie with others, check one out to watch at home, or stream it through a free library streaming service. Join a book club. Enjoy a concert. Learn how to draw better or throw a pot. Celebrate Halloween.
And most recently – get some help filling out those confusing FEMA forms because doing it correctly is essential in rebuilding what’s been lost.
The City of New Port Richey will be opening a service center to assist city residents with filling out FEMA forms in regards to Hurricane Helene at the New Port Richey Public Library located at 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey. It will be open Tuesday, October 1, 2024, through Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 10 AM to 5 PM except Sunday, October 6th as the Library is not open on Sundays. This is a walk-in service center so residents do not need to make an appointment for assistance.
For more of what local libraries are offering scroll on down.
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- New Port Richey Public Library’s ongoing programs that are held regularly include Rhymes to Readers Story Times, Kids Yoga, Quigong, Medicare Basics with SHINE, Writers Workshop, Language Classes, Movies, ESOL Classes, Walking Club, and The Tasty Tuesday Community Market which is held each Tuesday in the Library/City Hall courtyard. To access the library calendar and for more info go to the NPR Library Calendar of Events at newportrichey.librarycalendar.com/events or nprlibrary.org
- Pasco County Library Branches ongoing programs include story times, book clubs, gaming, Quingong, craft classes, movies, Master Garden Programs, SHINE Programs, ESOL, Tech Help, and Photo Scanning. Listings here only include branches in West Pasco with a few Special Programs exceptions that might be worth taking the ride for. For information on Pasco County Libraries and events at all branches, visit pascolibraries.org.
Score a Free Pass to Area Museums
Pasco County Libraries are also offering a Discovery Pass to patrons who can enjoy free access (first-come, first-served) to the area museums and attractions such as the Glazer Children’s Museum, Florida Holocaust Museum, Imagine, Tampa Bay History Center, and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete.
QUICK SEARCH
Library Branch Links
Special Events
Ongoing
Music | Art | Crafts | Writing
ESOL | Language Classes
Master Gardener Events
More What’s What NPR Calendars
LINK TO LIBRARY BRANCH CALENDARS
WEST PASCO LIBRARIES
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road in Holiday
(727) 834-3204
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road in Hudson.
New Port Richey Public Library
5939 Main St., New Port Richey
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
(727) 861-3011
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Dr., Holiday.
Starkey Ranch Library, Theatre, and Cultural Center
12118 Lake Blanche Dr., Odessa.
EAST & CENTRAL PASCO BRANCHES
Hugh Embry Library
14215 4th St, Dade City,
Land O’Lakes Library
2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes,
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Zephyrhills Library
5347 8th Street, Zephyrhills
Special Events
West Pasco Libraries
October 1 -5
Library Bingo Challenge, October – November at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR
Here’s how it works — throughout the months of October and November, you can fill out a NPR Library Bingo Card by checking out books, using our online services, and attending programs. Starting in November, bring your completed card(s) to the front desk, spin the wheel, and win a prize for every BINGO! Want to participate? Grab a BINGO card at the front desk!
Dancing Through the Decades Introductory Dance Classes, 4 – 5 p.m. Wednesdays starting October 2 at the NPR Library in downtown New Port Richey. This is an ongoing class.
Dance your way through the decades as you learn the basics of the foxtrot, swing, and more. For information, visit newportrichey.librarycalendar.com/event/dancing-through-decades.
October 6 – 12
World Space Week – To Infinity & Beyond, 5:30 – 7 p.m. Thursday, October 10 at the New Port Richey Library | Free
NASA Solar System Ambassador James Paradise will discuss the current state of space exploration and what our interstellar future holds in store for us! For information, visit newportrichey.librarycalendar.com/event/world-space-week-infinity-and-beyond
Lectures at the Ranch with Ryan Moralevitz, 6:30 p.m. October 10 at the Starkey Ranch TLC in Odessa | Free
Local teen Ryan Moralevitz has gotten some notoriety for his talent for turning ocean trash into art. His work has been displayed at Tampa International Airport, at the Carnival Cruise Terminal in Tampa, and at the Dunedin Art Center. He also runs his own nonprofit dedicated to waterway conservation and has published two books.
New Port Richey Library StoryWalk® S’more-ytime, 6 p.m. Friday, October 11 at James E, Grey Preserve in New Port Richey
Join us for a special event in the park! Enjoy a walk around the StoryWalk® trail as Ms. Jessica reads the newly installed title, Make More S’mores. The first post begins at the playground and will follow a 1/4-mile trail as we read our story. Stick around afterward for some tasty treats, too!
Registration is not required to attend but does help make sure there are enough treats for everyone. Please let us know if you’ll be joining us so we can bring s’more goodies for all.
Author Talk with Gary Vitacco-Robles, 12 p.m. Saturday, October 12 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR
Gary Vitacco-Robles will discuss the inspiration for his newly released book: New Port Richey’s Hacienda Hotel: A Haven for Silent Screen Stars, Literati & Sports Legends. Hear about the local favorite and architectural jewel of the city, the Hacienda Hotel
October 13 – 19
Random Fandom: Beetlejuice, 5 p.m. Thursday, October 17 at the New Port Richey Library in downtown NPR
Grab your Handbook for the Recently Deceased and join us for a movie! Watch the cult classic Beetlejuice (1988, PG) while painting your own themed decor to match.
Everyone is welcome to watch the movie, but please register to participate in the craft as supplies are limited.
October 20 – 26
Cello Rocks! with Theresa Villani, 6 p.m. Friday, October 18 at the New Port Richey Library | Free
Villani will be playing in the genres of jazz, pop, blues, rock n’ roll, Broadway, and even the Grateful Dead. She has performed throughout North America, everywhere from Chicago to Mexico City, with grand orchestras as well as more intimate concerts at libraries across the state.
Artist Series | Keith Haring, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at the New Port Richey Public Library
Keith Haring is known for his cartoonish style, which simplified social issues in the form of art. He made humanitarian paintings during the AIDS crisis and has made his work freely available to the public. In this class, you will create your own painting in the fashion of Keith Haring, utilizing his bold lines, fluid movements, and color-blocking.
No experience is necessary to attend this program. Registration is required as supplies are limited.
New Port Richey Library Riverside Concert Series, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at the southwest corner of Sims Park near the Grassin Bridge in downtown NPR | Free
From the promo…The Sandy Back Porch band has been delighting audiences throughout Florida for years. Its members play a range of instruments including guitars, banjoes, and fiddles, and have roots in bluegrass, country, and more.
Alter Eagles Tribute Concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at the Starkey Ranch TLC in Odessa | $13
Pasco County Libraries presents “Saturday Sounds” Tribute Shows, October – January at the Starkey Theatre, Library & Cultural Center in Odessa
October 27 – 31
Rhymes to Readers Storybook Parade, 1 – 2 p.m. Thursday, October 31 at the New Port Richey Library
This week’s storytime is also one of the cutest days of the year: the annual Trick-or-Treat Parade!
File Photos from 2023
ONGOING
New Port Richey Library Walk and Talk Club, 10 – 11 a.m. each Monday at the library in downtown NPR
Walk to different destinations around New Port Richey. Explore the city and make new friends, all while exercising. Walkers will be rewarded with NPR Public Library swag as they complete mileage milestones. The walk will begin and end at the New Port Richey Public Library courtyard.
Join us for a special outing to the historic Hacienda Hotel on Monday, October 7. Tour the hotel, learn about its history (and myths), and check out one of the rooms and restaurant. The walk will begin and end at the New Port Richey Public Library courtyard.
Tasty Tuesdays Community Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. each Tuesday at the New Port Richey Library in downtown New Port Richey
Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods and foods, unique, hand-made items, and more. Regular items include organic produce, plants, bread, honey, eggs, coffee, skincare, etc. Get to know your growers, ask questions, and learn from their experience.
The market is SNAP shopping friendly, so bring your EBT cards to use up to $40 in SNAP and get $40 in Fresh Access Bucks (FAB).
Master Gardener Programs at the Library
- Pets & Plants, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Satruday, October 12 at Zephyrhills Public Library in Zephyrhills.
- Good Bug/Bad Bug, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 15 at the New Port Richey Public Library in downtown NPR.
- Basic Hydroponics, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Wednesday, October 16 at the Starkey Ranch Library in Odessa.
Bromeliads in Florida, 2-3 p.m. Monday, October 21 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday.- Bug “Insect” Control in Your Lawn, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, October 26 at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City.
Succulents, 6-7 p.m. Monday, October 28 at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey.
- ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Fridays. English language tutoring is available one-on-one via ZOOM. 30-minute appointments are offered on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons. These lessons are intended for students with some prior experience learning English. Lessons are taught in English by a certified teacher. A group class for beginning speakers is offered on Saturday mornings on Zoom. Please email the South Holiday Library to sign up and for more information. Registration required.
- English Conversation Group, 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10-11:30 a.m. most Fridays. Practice your English-speaking skills in a group on Zoom. This is a fun, casual atmosphere to practice and improve your English. Speakers of all levels are welcome. We have a new topic for every meeting. The class will be hosted by Claudia from the South Holiday Library. Please call or email the South Holiday Library for more information and to register. Registration required.
- English for Beginners, 10-11 a.m. Saturdays. This is a one-hour class for beginning English language learners who have little to no fluency in English. The class is taught online. Basic topics such as greetings, simple conversations, and basic grammar. This is an adult class. The class is held on Zoom. Please email the South Holiday Library to sign up. Registration required.
Learn a language or hone your skills…
- Fun French for Kids, 4 – 4:45 p.m. Mondays at the Regency Park Library in New Port Richey. Grades 3 -8.
- Mandarin Chinese Class, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Fridays at the New Port Richey Public Library. Practice your Mandarin Chinese language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; class will be led via conversation practice and not with an instructor.
- Bonjour Mes Amis, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturdays at the New Port Richey Public Library. Practice your French language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; class will be led via conversation practice and not with an instructor.
Health | Community Services at the Library
- Medicare Basics with SHINE is typically held on the first Thursday of the month at the New Port Richey Public Library. The Medicare 101 presentation conducted by the SHINE Program provides information on the basics of Medicare with coverage that falls into four different areas called “Parts”- Medicare Part A, B, C & D, and what they mean to you. A SHINE volunteer will be available to answer questions. Individual appointments are available.
