February Events at Your Santa Rosa County Library

Love Your Library Month

Love your Library Month is celebrated during February in libraries nationwide. This is a great time to recognize the important role libraries play in the cultural and economic success of local communities and the nation. Visit your local library to let them know what you love about your library.

Preschool Storytime

Storytime programs are presented for preschool children ages three through five and include stories, finger plays and action rhymes. Caregivers must remain in the library during storytime; however, they cannot accompany children into the programs. Programs start promptly at the assigned times; latecomers are not admitted.

First timer? Visit the library to meet the storytime presenter, pick up a welcome packet, explore the children’s area, and enjoy a tour of the library.

Storytime will be presented during the following times through Feb. 21:

• 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Mondays at the Jay Library
• 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Navarre and Milton Libraries
• 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Fridays at the Gulf Breeze and Pace Libraries

Check the library website for additional details at www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries.

Toddler Time

Toddler Time is a program for children ages 18 to 36 months who attend with a caregiver. One child and one adult register together for songs, stories, rhymes, and other fun activities. This 20-minute program lasts six weeks.

Toddler Time requires registration; space is limited. It is not a drop-in program. Details are available at the participating libraries. You may call the Youth Services Coordinator, Angela Evans, at 981-4066 if you have any questions.

Toddler Time will be presented during the following times through Feb. 19:

• 11 – 11:20 a.m. on Mondays at the Pace Library
• 11 – 11:20 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Gulf Breeze, Milton, and Navarre Libraries

Family Story Hour 

Learn about the Earth’s biomes at Family Story Hour with stories, activities, and more related to each biome. This month we will explore deserts. Family Story Hour will be presented during the following times this month:

• 4 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 3 – Navarre Library
• 4 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 4 – Milton Library
• 5:30 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 11 – Jay Library
• 4 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 18 – Pace Library
• 3:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 28 – Gulf Breeze Library

Tax Aide

Volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide will be assisting with taxes at three Santa Rosa County libraries beginning Feb. 3. The AARP Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, providing service to millions of low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those ages 60 and older. Patrons are served on a first come–first served basis. Pre-registration is not accepted and space is limited, so arrive early. 

• Gulf Breeze Library (through Apr. 14)
  Mondays and Tuesdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  
  
• Milton Library (through Apr. 15)
  Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 1 – 5 p.m.
  Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  
  
• Navarre Library (through Apr. 9)
  Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

FOML Book Sale – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Jan. 31, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. & Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The Friends of the Milton Library will hold a book sale on Fri., Jan. 31 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Sat., Feb. 1, between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. A variety of books will be available. Support your local Friends group.

STEAM Makerspace – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Feb. 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2 p.m. – 5p.m.

Interested in drafting, robotics, Arduino, knitting, painting or any kind of hobby and would like a place to meet with others? The library meeting room will be available at this time to do so. Registration is required.

Reading with Gabby– Pace Library – 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Feb. 1, 10 a.m.

Visit the library to read with Gabby the therapy dog! Space is limited; registration is required.

Refreshing Reads Book Club – Jay Library - 5259 Booker Ln.

Feb. 4, 3 p.m.

Enjoy an uplifting book club where one can talk about books in a spirit of fun and sharing. This month’s selection is “Sons of Blackbird Mountain” by Joanne Bischof.

The Illustriates Book Club – Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Feb. 5, 4 p.m.

Sixth through 12th graders can join fellow graphic novel enthusiasts to discuss the book of the month. Members can suggest reading ideas, interests and discuss the world of the graphic novel. This month’s selection is “Mech Cadet Yu: Vol. 1” by Greg Pak.

Book Chat – Pace Library – 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Feb. 5, 4 p.m.  

One of the next best things to reading a good book is chatting about it. Join the conversation at the Pace Library on the first Wednesday of every month at 4 p.m. This month’s selection is “Law and Addiction” by Mike Papantonio. Registration is required.

For the Win! Games Day – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Feb. 8, 9 a.m.

Enjoy playing games? Come to the Milton Library for game day. Bring games from home or play those provided by the library. There will also be an on-going Dungeons & Dragons campaign. This event is open to all ages and game groups are welcome.

Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library Annual Meeting – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Feb. 8, 10 a.m.

The FOGBL annual meeting is open to the public. Light seasonal bites and beverages will be served. This year’s guest speaker is local author Kathleen Vestal Logan; she will speak on the importance of books and books that inspired her. Visit the Friends’ website at www.facebook.com/friendsofgblibrary for more information.

Friends of the Navarre Library Board Meeting - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Feb. 10, 10 a.m.

Board meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Navarre Library. Visit the Friends’ website at www.facebook.com/NFONL for more information.

The Inklings – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Feb. 11, 5 p.m.

Sixth through 10th graders are invited to share ideas about the book of the month. The Inklings Book Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Milton Library. This month’s selection is “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. Registration is required.

Page Turners - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Feb. 14, 1 p.m.

The fiction book club meets at 1 p.m. on the second Friday of every other month for a brown bag lunch and book discussion. This month’s selection is “The Keeper of Lost Things” by Ruth Hogan. Registration is required.

Family Game Friday – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Feb. 14, 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy playing games? Join us for Family Game Friday at the Navarre Library. Bring games from home or play those provided by the library. This event is open to all ages and game groups are welcome.

Family Movie Mondays – Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Feb. 17, 3 p.m.

Family movies will be shown the third Monday of every month at 3:30 p.m. This month’s movie is “Wonder Park” (rated PG). Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Navarre Library.

Game Night – Jay Library - 5259 Booker Ln.

Feb. 18, 3 p.m.

Enjoy playing games? Bring games from home or play those provided by the library. All ages and game groups are welcome.

AniManga Club – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Feb. 18, 4 p.m.

Visit the Gulf Breeze Library on the third Tuesday of each month to learn and share graphic art skills in a fun environment. The AniManga Club is dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of animation, cartooning, and related arts. The club is open to youth ages 11 – 17.

Third Wednesdays with UF/IFAS Extension – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.
Feb. 19, 11 a.m.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services presents “Hydroponic Gardening” by Matt Lollar, UF/IFAS commercial horticulture agent, at the Navarre Library.

Tech & Art Club – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.
Feb. 19, 4 p.m.

Tweens and teens ages 10-17 who are interested in robotics, coding and art are invited to a new Tech & Art Club. The club will explore art using technology and various mediums. Beginners through expert level welcome. Registration is required.

Third Fridays with UF/IFAS Extension – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.
Feb. 21, 1 p.m. 

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services presents “Hydroponic Gardening” by Matt Lollar, UF/IFAS commercial horticulture agent, at the Gulf Breeze Library.

STEAM Into a Storybook– Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Feb. 21, 1 p.m.

Build a pop-up storybook or recreate a scene from a favorite book series with LEGOs, a fairy tale cottage with Lincoln Logs, or a favorite fantasy character with Playdoh. There will also be storybook-themed crafts. See a staff member for more information.

Meet! Play! Learn! – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.
Feb. 24, 11 a.m.

Meet! Play! Learn! is an early literacy program for babies from birth to five years and their caregivers. Meet other parents and engage in social play time with puzzles, counting, building blocks, stories, Tumble Books and other STEM activities. Registration is not required.

Tween/Teen Tech Club – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Feb. 25, 4 p.m.

Tweens and teens ages 10-17 who are interested in robotics, coding, Arduino, virtual reality, and all things tech-related are invited to a robotics and tech club. Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month. Beginners through expert level welcome.

Graphic Novel Book Club – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Feb. 25, 5 p.m.

Join fellow graphic novel enthusiasts at the Milton Library on the fourth Tuesday each month to discuss the book of the month. Members can suggest reading ideas, interests, and discuss the world of the graphic novel. This month’s selection is “The Prince and the Dressmaker” by Jen Wang. Registration is required.

Reading Fanatics Book Club - Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Feb. 25, 5 p.m.

Book club meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. Suggest books to the library – fiction and non-fiction titles are welcome.

Bibliobabblers Teen Book Club - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.
Feb. 25, 6 p.m.

Ninth through 12th graders who are 14-18 years old can discuss the read-of-the-month with friends at the Gulf Breeze Library. Bibliobabblers meets at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month. This month’s selection is “Dead Mountain” by Donnie Eichar.

Who was James Blanchett? – Genealogy Library – 6275 Dogwood Dr.

Feb. 29, 10 a.m.

Genealogy enthusiasts are invited to join Margaret Chatraw as she discusses how she located the descendants of an infant in a photograph. This program is free and open to the public.

The Santa Rosa County Library System is a department of the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners. Libraries are located in Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre and Pace. Find additional information at www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries or call (850) 981-7323 (READ).