Families with students heading back to class have one more shot at free school supplies this week. The Clearwater Public Library System is handing out backpacks stuffed with supplies at all five branches through Friday, Aug. 7, courtesy of the Clearwater Library Foundation.

No appointment needed. Parents and caregivers can walk into any branch during regular hours and pick up a bag while supplies last.

The rules are straightforward: one backpack per child if the child is present, or up to two per family if children aren't there. Everything is first-come, first-served.

Pinellas County schools open Tuesday, Aug. 11, giving families just a few days to grab what they need.

Where to go

All five Clearwater Public Library branches are participating:

  • Countryside — 2642 Sabal Springs Drive (Mon.–Thu. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.)
  • East Community at SPC — 2465 Drew Street (Mon.–Thu. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
  • Main — 100 N. Osceola Ave.
  • North Greenwood — 905 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
  • Beach — 69 Bay Esplanade (Tue. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Wed. noon–2 p.m., Thu. noon–4 p.m.)

A heads-up for Beach branch visitors: that location is closed Friday through Monday, so Thursday, Aug. 6, from noon to 4 p.m. is the last chance there. The Main Library will also close early at 5 p.m. Thursday due to a City Council meeting.

The Countryside branch is throwing in a bonus book with each backpack for students in grades K–12.

A separate program from earlier giveaways

This library giveaway is distinct from the backpack distributions held earlier this summer at city recreation centers and Skycrest United Methodist Church. The Clearwater Library Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the library system, funded the supplies.

The city said the foundation's donation helps provide students with essential school items before they head back to the classroom, according to an official news release.

For questions, call (727) 562-4970 or check the library's event listing.

Upcoming

  • Friday, Aug. 7 — Last day for library backpack giveaway (all branches during open hours)
  • Tuesday, Aug. 11 — First day of school, Pinellas County