The Santa Rosa County Library has a host of activities and events to inform, educate and entertain you this month.

Here are a list  of the events to help you plan the things you can do in the month of March:

Volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide will be assisting with taxes at three Santa Rosa County libraries. 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. Preregistration is not accepted, and space is limited, so arrive early. 

• Gulf Breeze Library (through April 15)

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Milton Library (through April 11)

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 1 – 5 p.m.

Thursdays: 9 a.m. –  4 p.m.

• Navarre Library (through April 13)

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

"Book a Trip" with Family Story Hour! Join the libraries as they journey to all seven continents. There will be stories, activities, and more related to each destination on the trip. This month we will explore Asia. Come each month to receive a stamp in your Family Story Hour passport. Family Story Hour will be presented during the following times this month:

3:30 p.m. on Friday, Mar. 1 at the Milton Library

4 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 4 at the Navarre Library

5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 12 at the Jay Library

4 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 19 at the Pace Library

4 p.m. on Friday, March 22 at Gulf Breeze Library

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 story-time presenter, pick up a welcome packet, explore the children's area, and enjoy a tour of the library.

Storytime witll be presente4d during the following times: March 25 through May 3.

 

11 – 11:30 a.m. on Mondays at the Jay Library

• 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Navarre & Milton Libraries

• 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Fridays at the Gulf Breeze & Pace Libraries

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

 

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 Youth Services Coordinator Angela Evans at 981-4066 if you have any questions.

 

Toddler Time will be presented during the following times Mar. 25 – May 3: 

• 11 – 11:20 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Milton, Navarre, & Pace Libraries

• 10 – 10:20 a.m. on Fridays at the Gulf Breeze Library

Come join the maker's space at the Gulf Breeze Library. Persons interested in drafting, robotics, Arduino, knitting, painting or any kind of hobby have access to the library meeting room. Registration is required.

 

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

 

Enjoy an uplifting book club where one can talk about books in a spirit of fun and sharing. Registration is required. This month’s selection is “The Masterpiece” by Francine Rivers.

Teens ages 14 to 17 are invited to experience virtual reality with the Pace Library using the Oculus Rift VR headset. Participants must have a parent sign a permission form before using the VR equipment. Forms are available at the Pace Library service desk. All supplies and equipment will be provided.

The Gulf Coast Calligraphy Guild will conduct a workshop on the basics of calligraphy. This workshop is for adults and registration is required. All supplies will be provided.

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 “A Land Remembered” by Patrick Smith. Registration is required.

 

Mar. 6, 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 “The Dress in the Window” by Sofia Grant. Registration is required.

 

The Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library will hold a Spring Book Sale on Friday, Mar. 8, from 4 - 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Mar. 9, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. A variety of books will be available. Support your local Friends group.

 

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

Kids and teens ages 7 and older can join the Milton Library for a technology open house.

Learn basic coding with robots, explore Arduino or enjoy a Virtual Reality experience.

Participants must be age 14 or older and have a parent to sign a permission form before using the BR equipment. Forms are available at the Milton service desk. All supplies and equipment will be provided.

  

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.

 

Learn the basics of how to crochet! Visit the Jay Library to sign up and get a supply list. Supplies should cost less than $5.

 

The non-fiction book club meets on the second Tuesday of every other month for a brown bag lunch and book discussion. This month’s selection is “Educated” by Tara Westover. Registration is required.

  

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 “Rebel of the Sands” by Alwyn Hamilton. Registration is required.

Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze Library. Visit the Friends’ website at www.facebook.com/friendsofgblibrary for more information.

 

Board meetings are held at the Pace Library at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every other month beginning with January. The annual meeting is held in March. Visit the FOPL website at www.friendsofpacelibrary.org for details.

 

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services presents  “Spring Lawn Care by Mary Salinas, UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County residential horticulture agent, at the Gulf Breeze Library.

 

Family movies will be shown the third Monday of every month at 3:30 p.m. with a break in June. This month join the Navarre Library to watch a yeti named Migo try to convince his tribe that humans really do exist (rated PG). Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Navarre Library.

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, the Santa Rosa County Extension Office will present a fun family program with a nutrition lesson, games, and a food sample. Presentations will take place on the following dates and times:

Mar. 19: 

Milton Library, 11 – 11:45 a.m.

Jay Library,  2 – 2:45 p.m.

Gulf Breeze Library, 2 – 2:45 p.m.

Mar. 20:

Navarre Library, 11 – 11:45 a.m.

Pace Library, 2 – 2:45 p.m.

Spring Break Movies – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

The Milton Library will host three movies during spring break:

Mar. 19, 5 – 7 p.m.: Ralph Breaks the Internet (rated PG)

Mar. 20, 5 – 7 p.m.: The House with a Clock in its Walls (rated PG)

Mar. 22, 2 – 5 p.m.: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (rated PG-13)

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Milton Library. 

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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 “Estranged” by Ethan M. Aldridge.

Registration is required.

 

Mar. 26, 5 p.m.

Join us for a new book club at the Navarre Library. Meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. Those interested may suggest books to the library – fiction and non-fiction titles are welcome!

 

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 book is “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay,” both by J.K. Rowling.

    

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