April Events @ Your Library ®

National Library Week

April 7 - 13 is National Library Week, a time to highlight the essential role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. The theme for National Library Week 2024, "Ready, Set, Library!," promotes the idea that in our always-online world, libraries give us a green light to something truly special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most.

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 through Apr. 26:

• 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 through Apr. 26:

• 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

AARP Tax-Aide

Volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide will be assisting with taxes at three Santa Rosa County libraries beginning in February. 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. Tax assistance is available at the following locations:

• Gulf Breeze Library: Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Apr. 12.
• Milton Library: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12 - 4:30 p.m.through Apr. 11.Appointments are required, and can be made on the AARP website, by phone (850-564-3584), or in person with an AARP volunteer.
• Navarre Library: Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. through Apr. 15. No registration is required at the Navarre Library location. People will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who can't get help the day they come can schedule a future date with the AARP volunteers.

Library staff members DO NOT make appointments for AARP Tax-Aide but can answer questions about how to make an appointment. For more information on AARP Tax-Aide including other locations assisting with taxes, please visit their websiteor call the AARP Foundation at 1-888-687-2277.

Senior Social - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Apr. 2, 10 a.m.

Seniors 55+ are invited for coffee, conversation, activities, games, and crafts at 10 am on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Scheduled program activities will vary each month. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library.

Meet! Play! Learn!

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, and will take place from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on the following dates:

• Gulf Breeze Library: Apr. 4
• Navarre Library: Apr. 10

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

Apr. 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.

Apr. 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.

Apr. 6, 2 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the 1^stSaturday 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 vegetable gardening. Join us to learn effective methods and philosophies for growing vegetables in the Florida environment. We'll cover garden preparation, soil concerns, and follow your plants from seed to harvest. It will be presented on the following dates:

• Apr. 8, 2:30 p.m. - Gulf Breeze Library
• Apr. 11, 10:30 a.m. - Milton Library
• Apr. 15, 2:30 p.m. - Jay Library
• Apr. 17, 2:30 p.m. - Navarre Library
• Apr. 24, 10:30 a.m. - Pace Library

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 April is earth and will take place on the following dates from 2 - 6 p.m.:

• Apr. 9 - Gulf Breeze Library
• Apr. 23 - Pace Library

The Inklings - Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Apr. 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's selection is "Nimona" by N.D. Stevenson.

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

Apr. 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 "Tips for Filipino Genealogy - An Interview with Todd Lucero Sales."

Page Turners - Gulf Breeze Library - 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Apr. 11, 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. Come listen and share your thoughts about the book of the month. Anyone ages 18+ who has read the book is welcome to attend. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Gulf Breeze Library. This month's book is "Eternal" by Lisa Scottoline.

Butterflies in Motion

Visit your library to learn about Florida's native butterflies and their environment. Enjoy a presentation by Butterflies in Motion and visit the mobile butterfly house. This program will take place on the following dates:

• Pace Library: Apr. 11, 1- 3 p.m.
• Gulf Breeze Library: Apr. 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Navarre Library: Apr. 25, 1 - 3 p.m.
• Jay Library: Apr. 26, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Milton Library: Apr. 26, 1 - 3 p.m.

Game-O-Rama - Jay Library - 5259 Booker Ln.

Apr. 11, 2 p.m.

Come play a board game or video game at the Jay Library. Bring your own or enjoy one of ours. Get your game on!

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

Apr. 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

Apr. 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 Military Records. Registration encouraged but not required.

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

Apr. 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.

Apr. 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.

Apr. 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 "An American Tail" (rated G, 1986).

Homeschool Hangout - Pace Library - 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Apr. 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.

Apr. 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 "Homeward Bound" (rated G)

STEAM Day - Milton Library - 5541 Alabama St.

Apr. 18, 4 - 6 p.m.

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

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

Apr. 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.

Apr. 19, 10 - 11 a.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.

Apr. 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.

Apr. 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.

Furry Friend Friday - Navarre Library - 8484 James M. Harvell Rd.

Apr. 26, 2 - 3 p.m.

Visit the Navarre Library on the last Friday of every other month beginning in April to learn about pet safety and adoption. Listen to a story about pets, learn about the ways the Santa Rosa County animal shelter helps the animals it takes in, and meet a furry friend from the shelter.

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).

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