For the month of May, the West Florida Public Libraries in Escambia County are hosting events to bring the magic of reading home. 

If you and your family need some brainy fun, try these events out. For more information about library events, contact the Pensacola Library at (850) 436-5060. Visit mywfpl.com for more details.

Beanstack: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Monday, Feb 1 - Continuous - Virtual, mywfpl.beanstack.org

Enjoy reading 1,000 books with your little ones! Log reading and earn badges all along the way. Bond with your child and inspire literacy along the way. A book a day is 365 books in a year, 730 in two years and 1,095 in three years! There's more time than you think, so get started today! Every 100 books, come into the library to claim a prize. Be rewarded at 1,000 books with a book and a certificate of achievement.

How to participate:

Register for the challenge on the West Florida Public Libraries' Beanstack, either on the mobile app or at mywfpl.beanstack.org

Note: If you registered for our Summer Reading Challenge or another WFPL challenge, you do not need to create a new account! Simply sign in and register for the challenge.

Pet Partners and Read with a Dog Recorded Story Times

Saturday, May 1 - Monday, May 31 – Virtual

Sometimes everyone needs a little fur baby therapy. We know everyone misses being able to read to our favorite Pet Partner therapy dogs. So, this month, West Florida Public Libraries would like to present virtual story time with several of our local Pet Partner teams!

Stay-In Family Movie Night!

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Tryon Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Tryon Branch Library

Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Come in and check out one of our Family Movie Night Bundles. Bundles include a family friendly movie, a bag of microwave popcorn and a family friendly activity. Movies can be checked out for seven days and the rest is yours to keep! Not available on Monday, May 31.

Take-home Craft Kits

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Take-away craft kits and other activity bags are available at the circulation desk. Availability is on a first-come-first-serve basis during open hours. Kits rotate regularly. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Mystery Book Bundles at Pensacola Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Mystery Book Bundles are available for preschool, middle grade and young adult readers. Preschool bags contain three picture books. Middle grade and young adult bags contain two themed chapter books. All books can be checked out for three weeks. Be surprised by a new read today! Available during open hours. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Mindful Journal

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Patrons will incorporate mindfulness practices and daily journal prompts to list, describe and explore all of the many things in life that they are thankful for. Using a gratitude journal, along with mindfulness techniques, has been linked to an overall improvement in the quality of a person’s life. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Creative Writing Journal

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Writing can be an uphill battle, and sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Jumpstart your creative process with monthly themed prompts and writing tips. Use these ideas to start a novel, explore a scene or write a poem. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Take-away Soap Sack Loom kit - F

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Want to keep a bar of soap longer and cleaner in between uses? Soap sacks are small bags, made out of 100% cotton fibers that allow you to pop a bar of soap in for your personal hygiene routine. The loop on top allows you to hang the soap to dry. The fabric of the bag itself acts both as a washcloth and a means to keep the bar clean. Try out a miniature loom knitting kit. Take-away loom knitting kits are available at the circulation desk every day in May until they’re gone! Not available on Monday, May 31.

May the Fourth Be With You! 

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Monday - Friday, May 3 – May 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Monday - Friday, May 10 – May 14, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Stop by Pensacola Public Library to collect a Star Wars craft in honor of a fan-favorite franchise. Several different crafts will be available the first two weeks of May. May the Fourth Be With You! Availability is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

STEAM Take-home Craft: Mancala Board 

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Mancala is an ancient game played with two people. The game varies, being played by cultures all over the world. Called ‘Sungka’ in the Philippines, players take turns moving stones around the board to get the most stones in their bank. Not available on Monday, May 31.

STEAM Take-home Craft: Mother’s Day Haiku 

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Monday - Friday, May 3 – May 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Celebrate Mom with a simple poem. Haiku originate in Japan. These poems are usually about nature and can be read in a single breath. Traditionally they follow a structure with three lines and 17 syllables (or “moras”): five in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third.

STEAM Take-home Craft: Make Your Own Maracas! 

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Do you love making a musical instrument? Make your own Maracas and start a band, do karaoke or just have fun. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Take-Home Activity Kit: May Flowers

Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

April showers bring May flowers! Century Branch Library is celebrating flowers in May. Come by the library and pick up your flower starter kit then head over to our ‘May Display’ to check out some gardening books or whatever you May like.

Take-Home Activity Kit: Bird Watch Bingo 

Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Come get your bird watching kit at the Century Branch Library. Look to the trees and bushes for local birds and check off your bingo card as you identify different species. This is a great way to explore and connect with nature and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.

STEAM Activity: Mom’s Rock! 

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Tuesday - Friday, May 4 – May 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Let’s put the A in STEAM and create Art! Stop by Century Branch Library the first week of May and pick up your ‘Mom’s Rock’ rock painting kit. All materials and templates to paint your rock will be included in the kit. While at the library, swing by the ‘May Display’ and check out a book or movie or both!

STEAM Activity: Fun with Silhouette! Star Wars Lantern ~ May the Fourth Be With You! 

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Tuesday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Century Branch Library is celebrating Star Wars Day, May 4th! Come help us light our way by creating fun Star Wars themed lanterns! Yoda? Darth? Pick your side and May the Fourth be with you!

3D Mother’s Day Cards 

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Monday - Friday, May 3 – May 7, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Drop by to pick up all the young one in your life needs to create a lovely Mother’s Day card.

Patriotic Paper Plate Wind Catcher 

Friday, May 21, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Monday - Friday, May 24 - May 28, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Come pick up components to make your own patriotic wind catcher from a paper plate.

May Flowers 

Monday - Friday, May 10 - May 14, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Monday - Wednesday, May 17 - May 19, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Come pick up a kit at the Molino library to start your very own flower at home.

GED Instruction at Molino Branch Library

Mondays at 6 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Thursdays at 6 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Earn your GED at the Molino Community Center. This is an open enrollment program so that students may enroll anytime during the semester. A current TABE test is required to enroll for the classes. Contact Patricia Harrison at George Stone 850-941-6200 ex. 2361 for more information. Visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/97db22f3/kR9qiHbYYEOigudj1mftWg?u=http://www.georgestonecenter.com/ to register. Classes will be on Monday and Thursday nights each week from 6 - 8 p.m. There will be no class Monday, May 31.

STEAM Activity: Fun with Silhouette! Star Wars Lantern ~ May the Fourth Be With You! - F

Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Monday - Tuesday, May 3 – May 4, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Southwest Branch Library is celebrating Star Wars Day, May 4th! Come help us light our way by creating fun Star Wars themed lanterns! Yoda? Darth? Pick your side and May the Fourth be with you!

Friends of Southwest Branch Library Book Sale

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Southwest Library 

Mystery Book Bundles at Southwest Branch Library 

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Southwest Library

Mystery Book Bundles are for children, teens and adults to check out at the Southwest Branch Library. Your mystery bag will have three or four books that have something in common, indicated by the label on the bag. The bag is yours to keep for your next trip to the library (we’ll keep the label to re-use it), but no peeking inside the bag until you’re ready to read! Not available on Monday, May 31.

Mystery Book Bundles at Westside Branch Library 

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Westside Branch Library

Mystery Book Bundles are available for preschool, middle grade and young adult readers. Preschool bags contain three picture books. Middle grade and young adult bags contain two themed chapter books. All books can be checked out for three weeks. Be surprised by a new read today! Available during open hours. Not available on Monday, May 31.

Be My Neighbor Day Kindness Activity Kits

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Genealogy Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Genealogy Branch Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Molino Branch Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Tryon Branch Library

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Tryon Branch Library

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Westside Branch Library

Be My Neighbor Day goes virtual this year with a three-hour marathon of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” focused on the neighborly values of Mister Rogers with accompanying hands-on Kindness Kit activities for kids to do at home. The broadcast will air starting at 6 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. on WSRE.