January Events @ Your Library

Holiday Closures

The library system will be closed on Mon., Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day, and on Mon., Jan. 15 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

New Library Hours

Beginning Tues., Jan. 2, all libraries will open at 9 a.m. Mon. - Sat.

Hours at the Family History & Research Center will remain 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Sat. (closed from 12 - 1 p.m. on Sat. for lunch.)

Hours at the Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre, and Pace Libraries will be:

- Mon., Wed., Fri., & Sat.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

- Tues. & Thurs.: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

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

Storytime will be presented during the following times Jan. 8 through Feb. 16:

11 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Jay Library
11 – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Navarre Library
10:30 - 11 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Milton Library
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Gulf Breeze Library
11- 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Pace Library

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 6 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 Jan. 8 through Feb. 16:
10:30 – 10:50 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Milton Library
11 – 11:20 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Pace Library
10:30 – 10:50 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Gulf Breeze Library
11 – 11:20 a.m. on Thursdays at the Navarre Library
11 – 11:20 a.m. on Thursdays at the Jay Library

Meet! Play! Learn!

Meet! Play! Learn! is a program where parents of young children can congregate and socialize with other parents while their children play and make friends at age-appropriate activity stations set up around the room. This program is for children ages birth to 5 who have not yet started kindergarten, and will take place from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on the following dates:

- Gulf Breeze Library: Jan. 4

- Navarre Library: Jan. 10

labARTory - Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.
Jan. 4, 4 - 6 p.m.
Visit the Navarre Library for an open art studio. Design your own project or make a special project which changes each month. All art materials are provided by the Friends of the Navarre Library. This is a drop-in program; all ages are welcome, but children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Community Chess – Pace Library – 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.
Jan. 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Chess players of all ages are invited to play chess at the Pace Library. Knowledge of the game is recommended as no lessons will be provided. Players are expected to show good sportsmanship. The library has a limited supply of chess sets; players are encouraged to bring their own. Table space is limited. No table reservations at this time - first come, first served. Speak with a staff member for more information.

Family Fun Day – Navarre Library – 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.
Jan. 6, 2 p.m.
Visit the Navarre Library on the 1st Saturday of the month for family-friendly games, puzzles, and more.

UF/IFAS Extension Office Educational Programs
The UF/IFAS Extension office presents monthly research-based educational programs in agriculture, horticulture, family and consumer sciences, and more. This month’s topic is pruning. This course will cover the basics of tree structure, the purpose of pruning, limb removal, and when to prune. It will be presented on the following dates:
Jan. 8, 2:30 p.m. – Gulf Breeze Library
Jan. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Milton Library
Jan. 17, 2:30 p.m. – Navarre Library
Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m. – Pace Library
No Jay program this month due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day closure.

Advanced STEAM
Adults ages 18+ interested in virtual reality, AR, coding, robotics, engineering, construction, board games, crafts, and scientific experiments and exploration are invited to stop in for special STEAM activities. The theme for January & February is space and will take place on the following dates from 2 – 6 p.m.:
Jan. 9 – Navarre Library
Jan. 23 – Milton Library
Feb. 13 – Gulf Breeze Library
Feb. 27 – Pace Library

The Inklings – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Jan. 9, 5 p.m.

Sixth through 10th graders are invited to share their ideas about the book of the month. The Inklings Book Club reads both novels and graphic novels. Space is limited; registration is required. This month, read either the novel or graphic novel version of “Maze of Bones” by Rick Riordan & Ethan Young. Registration is required.

Webinar Wednesdays – Family History & Research Center – 6275 Dogwood Dr., Milton

Jan. 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. OR 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Visit the Family History & Research Center on the 2nd Wednesday each month for Webinar Wednesdays. Webinars related to family history research will be shown at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with a discussion following. This month’s webinar is “America’s Ancestry, Explained Through Maps.”

Coffee Talk - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 11, 12 p.m.

Coffee Talk, a non-fiction book club, meets at noon on the second Thursday of every other month beginning in January. Come listen and share your thoughts about this month's book, “Tightrope” by Nicholas D. Kristof. Anyone ages 18+ who has read the book is welcome to attend. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library. 

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

Jan. 13, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

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

Beginning Genealogy – Family History & Research Center – 6275 Dogwood Dr., Milton

Jan. 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. OR 2 – 4 p.m.

A four-part series about tracing your family history, each session covers a different aspect of genealogical research. Beginning Genealogy will take place on the 2nd Saturday of January, April, July, & October; attend at either 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. This session will cover Vital Records. Registration encouraged but not required.

Game Day! – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 13, 12 – 3 p.m.

Enjoy playing card games and board games? Bring the family or a friend and stop by the Gulf Breeze Library for Game Day. A variety of board games are available for use at the library, or feel free to bring your own. Gaming groups are also welcome.

Breeze Builders – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 16, 3 - 4 p.m.

Breeze Builders is a monthly building workshop for children ages 6 - 12 who enjoy building with Legos, Tinker Toys, K’Nex, magnetic tiles, and other types of building materials and kits. Bring your imagination and come join in on the fun.

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

Jan. 16, 4 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the 3rd Tuesday of the month for a movie. 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 "Paddington" (2014, rated PG).

Homeschool Hangout – Pace Library – 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Come to the Pace 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. Contact the Pace Library for more information.

Theater Thursdays – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 18, 3 - 5 p.m.

Stop by the library on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. for a family-friendly movie. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library. This month’s movie is “The Goonies” (rated PG)

STEAM Day – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Jan. 18, 4 – 6 p.m.

Visit the Milton Library for a monthly STEAM Day! Each month will feature a different theme. January’s theme is Winter Wonderland. Speak with a staff member for more information.

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

Jan. 18, 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! Registration is required.

Homeschool Hangout – Jay Library – 5259 Booker Ln.

Jan. 19, 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. Contact the Jay Library for more information.

STEAM Makerspace – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 23, 3 - 5 p.m.

Come explore, build, and create at STEAM Makerspace. Craft and create using library- supplied arts and craft materials or bring your own. Learn simple code with coding robots and explore with VR and AR devices. This program is for all ages, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Hobby groups are also welcome to attend this program.

Young Authors and Artists – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Jan. 25, 3 - 4 p.m.

Young Authors and Artists is for 12 - 17-year-olds who are interested in creative writing and/or enjoy creating art designs through sketching, painting, sculpting, and digitally. Enjoy a variety of creative activities that include poetry, comic book design, character creation, digital and theatrical art, and other activities and games revolving around story development and art expression.

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).