Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine - Asian Heritage

About 75 people of all ages came out to participate in Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine - Asian Heritage on September 13.

Three countries in Asia were showcased: Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Thank you to everybody who came out and to those who participated and helped put the evening together.

Tai chi demonstration



Arts and crafts



Storytime




Thai, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese displays


Snacks and beverages

Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine - Hispanic Heritage

Our first Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine night in August was a complete success! We had over 100 people in attendance at the event. Children and parents learned about different Hispanic cultures, enjoyed a cultural storytime, and snacked on some regional snacks (Mexican soda!).

Thank you to everybody who contributed to the event. We couldn't have done it without you.

We had over 100 in attendance at the event!

Traditional attire and crafts/objects from Mexico.


Children participating in storytime with Ms. Linda.





Regional foods to munch and snack on.

Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine - Asian Heritage

Date: September 13
Time: 6:30 p.m. - Children's Programming Room

Bring the family and come join us to learn about cultures of the world. This month, ESL students from countries in Asia will present information about their cultures. There will be crafts, activities, story time, and regional snacks will be provided.

Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine

Bring the family and come join us for Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine! Each month, starting in August, ESL students will share a little bit of their heritage at the library. Come learn about different cultures from around the world and listen to story time, enjoy activities and crafts, and snack on regional cuisine.

Our first Family Culture, Crafts, and Cuisine (Hispanic heritage) will be on Monday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Children's Programming room. Hope to see you there!

World Refugee Day

Largo Public Library hosted this year's Pinellas World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The celebration included a citizenship ceremony, refugee youth testimonials, and a World Refugee Day awards presentation for refugees and community leaders.

Lady Liberty welcoming everybody in.

The audience listening to a message from
President Obama.

Twenty-five people from thirteen different countries
became naturalized American citizens.


The new citizens taking the oath.

From lfsnet.org:

World Refugee Day is internationally sponsored each year on June 20 by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to celebrate and recognize the courage and experiences of the world’s refugees. The theme for the event was “Refugees of Today, Citizens of Tomorrow.” The international theme is “Home.”

“The international theme of this year’s World Refugee Day, ‘Home,’ reminds us both of what refugees have lost – their home countries and the homes they were forced to flee – as well as what they have found in Florida – a new home country and a new place to call home,” said Hiram A. Ruiz, Director of Refugee Services for the Florida Department of Children and Families. “This World Refugee Day, as we celebrate with our refugee neighbors in their new home, we must also remember the millions of refugees worldwide who have lost their homes but remain stuck in refugee camps, with little hope for any new home.”

Refugees are an integral part of the Tampa Bay community. In the last five years alone, a total of 17,398 refugees were resettled in the region. Refugees in the area come from many countries including Cuba, Haiti, Burma, Iraq and Colombia

Local News Articles:
At local naturalization ceremony, one refugee dreams of citizenship
Naturalization ceremony for 50 Bay area refugees
Refugee students become citizens

ESOL Community Resource Fair

Largo Public Library hosted Pinellas County Schools' 3rd ESOL Community Resource Fair for refugees and immigrant families living in Pinellas County on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

The resource fair offered families information about assistance and services available to them in Pinellas County, such as job placement and resume assistance, health care services for the uninsured, interpreting services, after-school programs, and legal issues and citizenship.