October Events @ Your Library

Fall Into Fun: Pick-a-Treat – All Libraries

October 1 – 31

Kids are invited to wear a costume, drop by the library, and pick up candy and a fun craft kit. Pick-a-Treat will take place during regular business hours throughout the month of October, while supplies last.

UF/IFAS Extension Peanut Butter Challenge – All Libraries

The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual collection for local food pantries that launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012, begins Oct. 1. Drop off new jars of peanut butter at any library location through Oct. 29 to help fight hunger.

UF/IFAS Master Gardner Plant Clinic – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

The south plant clinic put on by the Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners has moved from the Santa Rosa County South Service Center in Gulf Breeze to the Navarre Library.The clinic will be held from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Stop by to talk to the master gardeners about gardening and lawn concerns. For more information, contact the Santa Rosa County Extension Office at 850-623-3868 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

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 Dec. 2, with a break during Thanksgiving week:

- 10:30 - 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Milton Library

- 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Navarre Library

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

- 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Pace Library

- 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Fridays at the Gulf Breeze Library

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 program lasts 20 minutes.

Toddler Time requires registration; space is limited. It is not a drop-in program. Details are available at the libraries. You may call the Youth Services Coordinator, Angela Evans, at 850-981-4066 if you have any questions.

Toddler Time will be presented during the following times through Dec. 2, with a break during Thanksgiving week:

- 11 – 11:20 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Pace Library

- 10:30 – 10:50 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Milton Library

- 11 – 11:20 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Gulf Breeze Library

-11 – 11:20 a.m. on Thursdays at the Navarre Library

- 1 – 1:20 p.m. on Thursdays at the Jay Library 

Fall Into Family History – Genealogy Library – 6275 Dogwood Dr., Milton

Visit the Genealogy Library every Sat. in Oct. to celebrate Family History Month with a different event.

Oct. 1, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Coffee, donuts, and a show: come explore the world of genealogy through popular media programming

Oct. 8, 10 a.m. OR 2 p.m. Getting Started in Genealogy: The first in a series of 4 quarterly learning sessions on tracing your family history. Registration encouraged but not required.

Oct. 15, 10 a.m. The Hermitage - Andrew Jackson's Home: presented by former Hermitage Historical Interpreter Karen Duke Shaver

Oct. 22, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet & Greet - Lineage Societies: Ever wanted to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or other such organizations? Curious about what they do? Visit to learn more!

Oct. 29, 10 a.m. OR 2 p.m. Native American Heritage Month kickoff: join us for the webinar "Documenting Native American Families in 19th and 20th Century Records."

Fright Fest Movies – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Visit the Milton Library every Tuesday in October for Fright Fest Movies. All movies will begin at 4 p.m. and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Milton Library.

Oct. 4: Morbius (rated PG-13)

Oct. 11: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (rated PG-13)

Oct. 18: Ghostbusters: After Life (rated PG-13)

Oct. 25: The Addams Family (rated PG)

labARTory - Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Oct. 6, 4 - 6 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the first Thursday each month from 4-6 p.m. for an open art studio. Draw, paint, make jewelry, and more. Choose your own project and experiment with different mediums. All art materials are provided by the Friends of the Navarre Library. This is a drop-in program and is open to all ages; children should be accompanied by an adult.

STEAM Makerspace – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Oct. 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Are you into 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 for you to do so. Sign up is required; see staff at front desk.

Family Movie Afternoon – Pace Library – 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Visit the Pace Library the first two Fridays of October for a family movie afternoon. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Pace Library.

October 7 from 1 - 3 p.m.: The Peanuts Movie (rated G)

October 14 from 3 - 5 p.m.: Casper (rated PG)

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

Oct. 8, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Enjoy playing tabletop or board games? Join us for game day at the Milton Library on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Bring games from home or play those provided by the library. This event is open to all ages, and game groups are welcome.

Creepy Critters – All Libraries

Presented by AnimalTales, Creepy Critters focuses on those less cuddly and icky creatures whose importance is often taken for granted. This program features arachnids, insects, and snakes to illustrate that such undesirable critters serve an extremely important purpose to the environment.

Oct. 11, 4-5 p.m., Navarre Library

Oct. 13, 4 – 5 p.m., Milton Library

Oct. 18, 4 – 5 p.m., Jay Library

Oct. 21, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Pace Library

Oct. 25, 4 – 5 p.m., Gulf Breeze Library 

The Inklings – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Oct. 11, 4 - 5 p.m.

Sixth through 10th graders are invited to read either the novel or graphic novel version of the book of the month and meet to share their ideas about it. The Inklings meets the second Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. at the Milton Library. Registration is required.

Page Turners - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Oct. 14, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

This fiction book club meets at 12 p.m. on the second Friday of every other month beginning in February for a brown bag lunch and book discussion. Get ready for great reading adventures. This month’s selection is "Evvie Drake Starts Over" by Linda Holmes. Space is limited; registration is required.

Friends of the Milton Library Book Sale – 5541 Alabama St.

Oct. 15, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The FOML will host a book sale on Sat., Oct. 15 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Shop for bargain books of all types and subjects, for all ages. Visit the Friends’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Milton-Library-318473948678689/ for more information.

STEAM Day– Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Oct. 20, 4 – 6 p.m.

Visit the Milton Library for a monthly STEAM Day! Each month will feature a different theme. Speak with a staff member for more information.

STEAMaker - Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Oct. 20, 4 - 5 p.m.

Tweens and teens ages 10-17 who are interested in robotics, coding, and other tech are invited to join our STEAMaker tech club. Beginners through expert level welcome! Sign up is required.

AniManga Club – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Oct. 20, 4:30 - 6 p.m.

Visit the library on the third Thursday 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, and registration is required.

Homeschool Hangout – Jay Library - 5259 Booker Ln.

Oct. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Come to the Jay Library to meet other local homeschool parents and children to exchange ideas, participate in a fun activity, and discover how your library can support your children's educational journey. Space is limited. Registration is required. Speak with a staff member for details.

Saturday Matinee Book Club – Genealogy Library - 6275 Dogwood Dr.

Oct. 22, 1:30 p.m.

Interested in books that have been made into movies? Read a book, then gather on a Saturday to watch the movie and discuss both. Snacks will be provided; please bring your own drink in a bottle or cup that won't spill. This club is for adults, and registration is not required. October’s book is “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie.

Family Movie Tuesdays – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Oct. 25, 4 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the 4th Tuesday of the month for family movie night. All movies will begin at 4 p.m. and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Navarre Library. This month’s movie is “Coco” (rated PG).

Fall Into Fun– Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Oct. 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fall Into Fun at the Milton Library. Drop in any time during normal business hours on Oct. 28 for fun activities including a scavenger hunt, board games, a Halloween egg hunt, and more.

Fall Into Fun– Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Fall Into Fun at the Navarre Library Drop in between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 to take a selfie in front of a fun fall background and enjoy some treats.

Fall Into Fun– Pace Library - 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Fall Into Fun at the Pace Library. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Oct. 28 for fun activities including a scavenger hunt, games, crafts, and more.

Spooky Movie – Jay Library – 5259 Booker Ln.

Oct. 28, 3 p.m.

Visit the Jay Library for a spooky movie afternoon with “Casper” (rated PG). The movie will begin at 3 p.m.; refreshments will be provided.

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/librariesor call (850) 981-7323 (READ).