December Events at Your Library

Library Closures

All Santa Rosa County Libraries will close at 1 p.m. on Fri., Dec. 15 for quarterly staff development.

Libraries will be closed Mon. – Tues., Dec. 25-26, in observance of the Christmas holiday.

Gift Wrapping Weeks – Jay Library – 5259 Booker Ln.

Dec. 1 – 23, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Need to wrap presents but have nowhere to do it? Stop by the Jay Library between Dec. 1 – 23 during regular hours and use a table at the library. Tape and scissors will be provided; please bring your own wrapping paper.

Meet! Play! Learn! – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Dec. 1, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

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.

Saturday with Santa

Santa will take a break from his preparations at the North Pole to visit Santa Rosa County Libraries. Enjoy a Christmas story and a gift from Santa. Please bring a camera if you would like a picture taken with Santa. All ages are welcome. Special thanks to area Friends of the Library for sponsoring this spectacular visit.

- Dec. 2, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Pace Library

- Dec. 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Gulf Breeze and Jay Libraries

- Dec. 16, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Milton and Navarre Libraries

Comic Book Crusaders – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Dec. 5, 4 – 6 p.m.

Enjoy reading and discussing comic books and superhero movies with others? Interested in learning about the origin of some favorite superhero characters? If so, join the Comic Book Crusaders to learn and discuss comic books and superheroes from the Marvel and DC universes. This month’s discussion topic is sidekicks (any from DC or Marvel). This special interest book club is for ages 18 and older.

Holiday Movie Magic – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Dec. 5 & 19, 5 p.m.

Visit the Milton Library for Holiday Movie Magic. Movies will start at 5 p.m. and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Milton Library.

- Dec. 5: The Grinch (rated PG)

- Dec. 19: The Polar Express (rated G)

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

Dec. 7, 4 - 6 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the first Thursday each month from 4-6 p.m. 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 and is open to all ages; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Dec. 9, 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.

 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 camellias. Camellias are a common landscape plant in North Florida. Join us to learn more about this plant, growth strategies, and how to use it in your yard.  It will be presented on the following dates:

- Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. – Gulf Breeze Library

- Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Milton Library

- Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m. – Jay Library

- Dec. 20, 2:30 p.m. – Navarre Library

- Dec. 27, 10:30 a.m. – Pace Library

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

Dec. 12, 4 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the 2nd 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 "Miracle on 34^th Street" (rated TV-PG).

STEAM Makerspace – Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Dec. 12, 4 p.m.

Come explore, build, and create at STEAM Makerspace on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month from 4 - 6 p.m. Craft and create all sorts of things using library-supplied crafting materials and art supplies, or bring your own. Learn simple code with coding robots or explore the world with AR devices. All ages are welcome, but children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The Inklings – Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Dec. 12, 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. This month’s book is “Fablehaven” by Brandon Mull. Registration is required.

Page Turners – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Dec. 14, 12 p.m.

Page Turners, a fiction book club, meets at 12 p.m. on the second Thursday of every other month beginning in February for a brown bag lunch and book discussion. Get ready for great reading adventures. This month’s book is “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab. Registration is required.

Homeschool Hangout – Jay Library – 5259 Booker Ln.

Dec. 15, 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.

Breeze Builders – Gulf Breeze Library – 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Dec. 21, 4 – 5 p.m.

Build and create all sorts of wonderful things using various types of building materials including Legos, K'Nex, wood planks, Playdoh, Tinker toys, magnetic tiles, and more. This monthly workshop is for children ages 6 - 11.

STEAM Day – Milton Library – 5541 Alabama St.

Dec. 21, 4 – 6 p.m.

Visit the Milton Library for a monthly STEAM Day! Each month will feature a different theme.

December’s theme is holiday STEAM. Speak with a staff member for more information.

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

Dec. 21, 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.

Christmas Movie – Jay Library – 5259 Booker Ln.

Dec. 21, 5 – 6:45 p.m.

Bring the whole family to the Jay Library at 5 p.m. on December 21 to enjoy "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (rated PG, 2000 live-action version). Refreshments will be provided.

Merry Tech-mas! – All Libraries

Did you receive a new smart device for Christmas and aren’t sure how to get started with it? Help is available at the library.

- Dec. 27: Milton Library: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Pace Library: 2 – 4 p.m.

- Dec. 28: Gulf Breeze Library: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Navarre Library: 2 – 4 p.m.

- Dec. 29: Jay Library: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Family History & Research Center: 2 – 4 p.m.