May 2026
By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
Libraries will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in Observance of Memorial Day.
Come on and explore some of the many things happening at local libraries this month. Here’s just a sampling, and many are sure to find something to their liking and interest on this month’s calendar. I encourage you to take it further by linking to libraries near and maybe a little far. Your Pasco County library card gives you access to all branches across Pasco County, New Port Richey, Pinellas County, Hernando County, and other libraries, providing an extensive selection of books, technology resources, classes, seminars, and other enrichment programs.
Be sure to explore local libraries on your own online by accessing the New Port Richey Public Library website here and the Pasco County Libraries website here.
As taxpayers, you are welcome to claim ownership. Go on and check it out.
Check out the many ongoing programs and special events happening at local libraries that serve to enrich the lives of individuals in our community
Special Events & Programs – This Month
At the Movies
Body | Mind Health
Career and Computer Assistance
Clubs
Language Classes
Library Master Gardener Programs
Visual Arts Programs
StoryWalk®at Local Parks
More Calendars
New Port Richey Library presents, ¡Viva Cavalaire!, 7 – 9 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Cavaliere Square in downtown New Port Richey
Celebrate El Día Internacional de los Trabajadores with live music from Cuban Son, salsa dancing, and activity stations hosted by the New Port Richey Public Library’s Café y Conversaciones. El Jefe food truck will also be on site, serving delicious items for purchase.
Fifth Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the New Port Richey Public Library
Keynote speaker Shawn “The Milkweed Man,” documentary screenings, environmental group representatives, and musical entertainment. The first 50 attendees receive a free milkweed plant, with additional plants and seeds available.
Museum and Art Lecture | How to Look at Modern Art, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library & Cultural Center in Odessa
Join the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art as they explore the museum’s collection and discuss how to view Modern Art movements like Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract and Figurative Expressionism.
Author Talk & Book Signing | Harold Andrews, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday, May 9 at the New Port Richey Public Library
Harold Andrews, a fifth-generation Pasco County native, writes about the history, heritage, and transformation of Central Florida. His books, Pasco: Pastures to Pavement and Pasco: Then and Gone, reflect on a time when cattle, citrus, and open land defined the area, and explore how our way of life has changed over the years.
Sip and Spell: Adult Spelling Bee, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 11, at the Hacienda Hotel in downtown New Port Richey
The New Port Richey Library is taking it downtown to the Historic Hacienda Hotel for the 3rd-annual Sip and Spell Spelling Bee, and it’s sure to BEE a great time! Please register in advance to reserve your spot. A small number of spots will be reserved for in-person registration the night of the event. Registration is free; food and drinks will be available for purchase at the Hacienda. Spectators are encouraged!
Plains, Trains, and Streetcars, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the New Port Richey Public Library
Explore the rich history of local transportation with Tomás Monzón of the West Pasco Historical Society. Learn how rail lines, roadways, and other early transit systems helped shape the growth and development of our community.
This presentation will highlight the people, places, and stories behind the routes that once connected the region, offering a unique look at how travel in West Pasco has evolved.
Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Hudson Regional Library
Come find your next favorite book!
Historic Baker House Tour, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Satruday, May 16 at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday
Learn about local history during this engaging presentation exploring the rich history of the Baker House, the oldest surviving cracker-style home in West Pasco County. This program will highlight the home’s origins, architectural significance, and the pioneering Baker family who helped shape the early community.
Following the presentation, guests are invited on a guided tour of the Baker House. Step inside this remarkable historic structure to experience its unique design, discover stories from its past, and gain a deeper appreciation for this treasured landmark.
City of New Port Richey Environmental Committee Meeting, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at the New Port Richey Public Library | All are invited to attend
The Environmental Committee offers advisory opinions and recommendations to the City Council on environmental issues facing the city, serves as the planning committee for the City’s major environmental events, and explores new environmental initiatives. All meetings are open to the public
For more information, link to newportrichey.librarycalendar.com/event/environmental-committee-meeting-21858
Regency Park Library Story Time in the Park, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Lake Lisa Park in New Port Richey
Enjoy nature-themed stories, songs, and sunshine at Lake Lisa Park! All ages welcome.
Cinema Club New Port Richey Film Festival Showcase, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at the New Port Richey Public Library
Missed the New Port Richey Film Festival or want to experience it again? Join us for a special screening of our 2026 showcase, featuring films created by local filmmakers.
Enjoy a fully-loaded popcorn bar while you watch the films!
NPR Summer Kickoff: Touch-a-Truck & Hurricane Expo, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the New Port Richey Public Library
Kick summer into high gear with Touch-a-Truck! Explore firetrucks, police vehicles, and more at this annual event. Face painting and other activities will be available inside the Library, where you can register for our Summer Library Challenge.
This event also includes a Hurricane Expo, featuring safety information and vendors to help you prepare for storm season. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to get up close with emergency vehicles, connect with local safety experts, and learn how to stay prepared.
Get Your Tickets to theatrical performances at Richey Suncoast for FREE with Your Library Card!!!
Photo | Michele Miller (2025)
Check out the New Port Richey Library’s Theatre Pass Program and the Pasco County Libraries Discovery Pass Program, where you can use your library card as your ticket to the theatre! As part of the Theatre Pass Program with the Richey Suncoast Theatre, your library card will get you two tickets to a theatre show. To register, fill out the registration form for your desired showing. Seating is assigned by the Richey Suncoast Theatre. If you require special accommodations, please get in touch with the theater at 727-842-6777. Click here for info.
The Pasco County Libraries Discover Pass Program also grants two tickets to area museums, including the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Florida Holocaust Museum, the Imagine Museum, the Tampa Bay History Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Pete.
- Walk & Talk Club, 10-11 a.m. most Mondays at the New Port Richey Public Library.
- Tai Chi Gung, 2 – 3 p.m. most Tuesdays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Kids Yoga, 11 – 11:45 a.m. most Wednesdays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Yoga with Stacey, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
Health & Health Care Events
- Medicare Basics with SHINE, 10 – 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at the New Port Richey Library. The Medicare 101 presentation conducted by the SHINE Program will provide 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 also be available to answer questions about each Part that holds your interest. www.floridashine.org Note: Individual appointments are available following the presentation.
- Wellness & Self-Care: From Surviving to Thriving, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Starkey Ranch Library. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, guest speaker Chris Eaton, co-owner of Trinity Yoga Wellness Center, will explore wellness not as another task to manage, but as a way of living. Drawing from both his personal journey and his work as a Death Doula supporting individuals & families through death, grief, and burnout, he will share insights on why so many people today are surviving, but not truly living. With special attention given to caregivers, helpers, and those who carry emotional weight for others, this presentation offers practical tools, reflection, and hope, reminding participants that they don’t have to wait for a crisis or tragedy to begin caring for themselves and living with purpose, connection, and peace
- Career Source, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Centennial Park Library in Holiday. Check the schedule for individual help by appointment.
- Tech Help, Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at the New Port Richey Public Library. Register in advance for these classes to learn how to use email, word programs, social media, and more. Teens and adults.
- Tech Help by Appointment, 3 p.m. Wednesdays & Saturdays at the Centennial Park Library
- Homeschooler Monday Meetup, 1 -2 p.m. Mondays at the New Port Richey Library.
- Chess Club, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Mondays at the New Port Richey Library. All ages.
- Stitched Together Knitting & Crochet Club, 5-7 p.m. Mondays at the New Port Richey Library. Adults
- Teens & Tweens Chess Club, 3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 14 and May 28 at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Dungeons & Dragons, 3 – 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 and 19, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Poetry Club, 12:30-1:30 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at the New Port Richey Library. Adults.
Read to (Certified) Therapy Dog Programs for Kids,
- Regency Park Library – 4:30 p.m. most Tuesdays.
- Centennial Park Branch Book Club – The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (adults) Tuesday, May 5
- South Holiday Branch Book Club, 2 – 3 p.m., Thursday, May 14.
- Regency Park Branch Chapter Chasers – Elementary Homeschool Book Club,11:30 – 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12. (tweens & teens)
- Regency Park Branch Mystery Book Club – The Marlowe Murder Club, 2 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. (adults)
- New Port Richey Public Library Lounge Fantasy, 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26. Interested in sharing your own work? Fantasy writers are invited to read a short passage (up to 5 minutes). Registration is only necessary for those who would like to read their work. While additional readers may be accommodated if time allows, only registered participants are guaranteed a slot. For teens and adults.
Pasco County Library System-Wide Virtual and In-Person Classes
- English Conversation Group, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 -11:30 a.m. Fridays. The class will be hosted by Claudia from the South Holiday Library on Zoom. Intended for adults. Please email the South Holiday Library, sh@pascolibraries.org, for more information and to register. Registration required.
- English Basics for Beginners, 10 – 11 a.m. Saturdays. 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, sh@pascolibraries.org, to sign up. Registration required.
- English Conversation Corner, 3 – 4 p.m. most Saturdays at the Starkey Ranch Branch.
New Port Richey Library Language Offerings
Local libraries offer ongoing virtual and in-person language classes. Patrons are also welcome to learn on their own through language apps they can access for free through county and city library systems.
- English Next Level, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Improve your English skills at the Library! Enjoy a supportive environment to practice conversation and build confidence in your language abilities. This class is designed for those who already know the basics of English and want to improve their grammar and communication skills. Please note that this class is led by volunteers and is not a certified ESOL / ESL course
- Beginning German, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Fridays. Learn German from the ground up — no prior experience needed! We’ll start with the basics and then move on to phrases you can use in daily life. This series will last for 10 weeks.
- Guten Tag!, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. most Fridays. Practice your German 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.
- Mandarin Chinese, 1:30 – 3 p.m. most Fridays. Practice your Mandarin Chinese language skills in an informal and friendly group setting. This group is self-led; the class will be led through conversation practice, rather than with an instructor.
Check out the Master Gardener Programs and Seminars held at our libraries
For more information about the Pasco Extension and events, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco
New Port Richey Library has a Seed Borrowing Program and also hosts a weekly community market called Tasty Tuesdays
The weekly market is located in the courtyard of the New Port Richey Public Library at 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey. The market is open every Tuesday, rain or shine, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find locally sourced foods, sustainably grown produce, cottage-industry baked goods, hand-made items, and more.
- Ukulele Play-Along, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at the New Port Richey Library. Ages 15+. Registration encouraged.
- Native American Flute, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the New Port Richey Library.
- Clayworks Open Studio, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Free Art Closet, 3 p.m. May 7, 10:15 a.m. May 9, at the Centennial Park Library.
- Clayworks Hand Building for Kids, 3 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Clayworks Handmade Flower Trays for Adults, 1 – 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Card Making Workshop, 1 – 4 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the Starkey Ranch Library.
- Creative Coloring for Adults, 2 – 3 p.m. most Fridays at the South Holiday Library.
A StoryWalk® is an outdoor reading activity that allows children, families, and people of all ages to read a story while walking along a nature trail. Pages of a story are placed on posts on a trail, combining literacy and physical activity into one enjoyable experience.
- James E. Grey Preserve, 6938 Plathe Road, New Port Richey. First installed in March of 2020, our StoryWalk® takes you down a 1/4 mile trail through the preserve, reading a story together along the way. A new story is installed three times a year, each featuring additional early literacy activities and interactive tasks to enhance the story as you go.
- Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey. Includes 18 reading station posts installed along a 0.20-mile nature trail loop on the back-left side of the playground area.
- Withlacoochee River Park, 12249 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City. Withlacoochee StoryWalk®, located in Dade City, is a 0.30-mile trail with 18 posts.
Be the first to comment