Below is a listing of events occurring in the month of October at the West Florida Public Library (WFPL) locations in Escambia County. For more information about events, please contact the Main Library at (850) 436-5060 and follow @MyWFPL on Twitter.
West Florida Public Library Locations
- Main Library: 239 North Spring Street, Pensacola, (850) 436-5060
- Century Branch: 7991 North Century Boulevard, Century, (850) 256-6217
- Genealogy Branch Library: 5740 N. 9th Avenue, Pensacola, (850) 494-7373
- Molino Branch: 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino, (850) 435-1760
- Southwest Branch: 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, (850) 453-7780
- Tryon Branch: 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola, (850) 471-6980
- Westside Branch at Legion Field: 1301 W. Gregory Street, Pensacola
For exact hours of each WFPL location, visit mywfpl.com/hours-and-locations/.
The Big Read
In May it was proudly announced that the West Florida Public Library System had received a grant of $15,000 to host the Big Read program.
The West Florida Public Library is one of 77 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant to host The Big Read project between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read will take place in Escambia County during the months of October and November and will focus on The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien’s novel about the lasting impact of the Vietnam War. Copies of the book are available for checkout at all WFPL locations and additional copies can be found in Little Free Libraries throughout the County. O’Brien will come to Escambia County to launch The Big Read activities on October 10 and 11.
Managed by Arts Midwest, The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to revitalize the role of reading in American culture by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read for pleasure.
The Big Read is made possible by WFPL’s strong community partnerships, including The Appleyard Agency, Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida and the continuing support of the Friends of West Florida Public Library.
‘The Big Read’ in Escambia County – October Events
For the full schedule for The Big Read in Escambia County, visit: http://bit.ly/1olwPQw.
A Conversation with Tim O’Brien
Author Tim O'Brien will talk with students and members of the public about The Things They Carried in an informal question and answer setting.
- Friday, October 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Building 36, Room 191, Pensacola
The Big Read Community Kickoff
Join author Tim O'Brien as he helps us to kick off The Big Read in Escambia County.
- Friday, October 10, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
Tim O’Brien at the National Museum of Naval Aviation
Author Tim O'Brien will discuss The Things They Carried at the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
- Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- National Museum of Naval Aviation, 1750 Radford Boulevard, Pensacola
Movie Screening - Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam
Join us for a screening of Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam, a feature-length documentary film featuring real-life letters written by American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines during the Vietnam War to their families and friends back home. Archive footage of the war and news coverage thereof augments the first-person "narrative" by men and women who were in the war, some of whom did not survive it.
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Monday, October 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
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Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola
The Big Read Scholarly Series – The Vietnam War: An Overview
Dr. Derek Zumbro, UWF Department of History, will discuss the history of the Vietnam War, from its origins in colonialism to its conclusion and its continuing impact on American society.
- Thursday, October 23, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola
The Things They Carried Book Discussions
Community members are invited to join their neighbors at the library to talk about Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. All are encouraged to participate in this discussion about the author's work, the Vietnam War and the war's continuing impact on American society.
- Wednesday, October 15, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Main Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola
- Thursday, October 16, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Century Branch Library, 7991 N. Century Boulevard, Century
- Tuesday, October 21, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Pensacola State College, Chadbourne Library, 1000 College Boulevard, Building 20, Pensacola
- Monday, October 27, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola
- Wednesday, October 29, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Avenue, Pensacola
For more information about The Big Read, please contact Melissa Davis at (850) 436-5060 or visit neabigread.org.
October Programs at West Florida Public Libraries
Colonial Heritage Month
- Through Friday, October 31 – Main Library
- Explore America’s colonial heritage this month through two historical displays. The Florida Public Archaeology Network presents Catastrophe! Documents of the 1559 De Luna Expedition, which tells the story of the ill-fated attempt to establish a colony Pensacola. The second display is Where Are Your Colonial Roots? Presented by the Fort San Carlos Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century, it encourages all people to get to know their heritage and to learn how their ancestors fit into the grand scheme of American history.
Art Exhibits
- Through Friday, October 31 – Molino Branch
- Hanging exhibit: Ruth Gordon, member of Quayside Art Gallery and former student of the Old Molino School and Lottie Taylor Gilley, Ruth’s mother and teacher at Old Molino School from the 1940’s through the 1960’s.
- Display case: Ralph Gordon will be displaying his collection of beer steins.
Zombie Selfie
- Wednesday, October 1, through Saturday, October 25 – Tryon Branch
- Contest to see who enters the best Zombie selfie photo. Contact the Tryon Branch for more information.
Fall GED Classes
- Weekly on Monday and Thursday, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch
- Students need to take the TABE and fill out the online application to enroll: http://bit.ly/1q5WAK9. Cost for GED class is $30 per semester and semesters run the same schedule as Escambia County Schools.
Family Game Night
- Weekly on Monday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Main Library
Crafternoons
- Monthly on the fourth Saturday, 1 p.m. – Main Library
- Children 8 and older are welcome to make crafts at the Main Library each month.
Saturday Chess Club
- Weekly on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- Learn to play chess for ages 8-14.
Snowbird Movie Matinee Series
- Monthly on the first Thursday, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch
October 2 – Casablanca (1942, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, 102 minutes, PG)
November 6 – Pillow Talk (1959, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, 105 minutes, NR)
December 4 – A Christmas Story (1983, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin, 98 minutes, PG)
West Florida Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting
- Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m. – Genealogy Branch
- The Doy Leal McCall Rare Book and Manuscript Library at the University of South Alabama is home to important historical material relating to the history of the Alabama Black Belt, city of Mobile, southwest Alabama and the University of South Alabama. Director Carol Ellis will describe the resources available at the library and tell the story of two specific families’ lives documented in the collection. Those who have relatives or ancestors who lived in southwest Alabama will be especially interested in this program.
Introduction to Stamp Collecting
- Saturday, October 4, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Main Library
- All ages are invited to this introduction to stamp collecting presented by the Pensacola Philatelic Society. The program is free of charge and participants will be provided with free stamp packets to start their own collections.
In the Kitchen with Jamie and Wendy
- Monday, October 6, 4 to 6 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- In the Kitchen with Jamie and Wendy will be all about good food choices for families with cooking demonstrations and a present to take home.
Dogwood Dulcimers
- Monday, October 6, 6 to 7 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- All ages are in for a special treat as the Dogwood Dulcimers, a local group of musicians, share their music and introduce the audience to dulcimers and other folk instruments.
Movie Night for Grown-ups
- Tuesday, October 7, 5 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- This month's movie will be Edge of Tomorrow (PG-13, 153 minutes)
Pensacola Ghost Stories
- Tuesday, October 7, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch
- Enjoy a bewitching evening at the Molino Library learning about the ghosts and spirits who have never left Pensacola or Escambia County. Pattie Krakowski, owner of Pensacola History and Hauntings, will share the results of her own local paranormal investigations. Learn which famous Pensacola downtown building has ghosts with English accents and whose DJ booth was once a pulpit and the locations of other ghostly apparitions. It promises to be frightfully good fun!
Paradox Teen Book Club
- Wednesday, October 8, 6 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- This month's teen program will be a movie night watching Beetlejuice (PG, 92 minutes)
Pirate Party Story Time
- Thursday, October 9, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch
- Join us for fun on the high seas with pirate-themed stories, songs and games. Come dressed as a pirate if you like!
Fancy Nancy Party
- Thursday, October 16, 6 to 7 p.m. - Southwest Branch
- Children ages 4 to 12 and their parents are invited to enjoy a tea party, Fancy Nancy stories, games, dress-up and more.
Celebrate Teen Read Week
- Saturday, October 18, 2 to 4 p.m. – Main Library
- Turn your dreams into reality at our teen cosplay event featuring anime and candy sushi. Come in costume if you'd like.
American Girl Book Club
- Saturday, October 18, 2 p.m. – Southwest Branch
- Girls ages 6 to 12 will learn about American life through the experiences of Caroline in 1812 America by exploring different activities from the time period. Advance registration is requested.
Kids: R.E.A.D. to the Dogs
- Saturday, October 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Southwest Branch
With The Kids: Reading Educational Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program, your child can improve his or her reading skills by practicing reading to therapy dogs.
Topsy-Turvy Tuesday: 8 Class Pets Book Discussion
- Tuesday, October 21, 6 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- Elementary age kids are invited to join Miss Martha for a book discussion of 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel Divided by 1 Dog = Chaos by V.V.Velde.
Book Discussion
- Monday, October 27, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch
- This month’s book discussion will be about Doc, a Western by Mary Doria Russell.
Halloween Program
- Tuesday, October 28, 5 p.m. - Century Branch
- Kids can wear their costumes and join us for spooky fun, stories and crafts.
Books to Film Book Club
- Tuesday, October 28, 6 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- This month's book club for adults will be a discussion of This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trooper.
Halloween Costume Party and Parade
- Wednesday, October 29, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Main Library
- Join us in costume for safe, family-friendly Halloween festivities at the downtown library with stories, tricks and treats!
Halloween Parade
- Thursday, October 30, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- Our special elementary age Program will be a Halloween Parade around the library - wear your costume!
Pumpkin Painting Party
- Thursday, October 30, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Westside Branch
- All ages are welcome to join us for stories, a craft, a trick or treating parade and your very own pumpkin to paint. Costumes are optional.
Zombie Scavenger Hunt for Teens
- Thursday, October 30, 5 to 7 p.m. – Tryon Branch
- Dress up like a zombie and go on a zombie scavenger hunt.
It Happened One Night at the Molino Museum
- Friday, October 31, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch
- Enjoy a night of skits, spooky stories and trick or treating. Tour the spooky Molino Museum if you dare!
Storytime for Children (Reoccurring)
Main
- Weekly on Wednesday (through December 17), 10:30 a.m., children up to age 5
Century
- Weekly on Thursday (through December 18), 4 p.m.
Southwest Branch
- Weekly on Tuesday (through December 16), 10:30 a.m.
- **Storytime at the Southwest Branch on October 21 and October 28 has been cancelled due to early voting at the branch.
Tryon Branch
Storytime for Babies
- Tuesday, October 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m.
Preschool Storytime
- Weekly on Thursday, (through December 18), 10:30 a.m.
Molino Branch
- Weekly on Wednesday (through December 17), 10:30 a.m., children up to age 5
Computer Classes for Adults
Main Library
- Basic Skills I – Wednesday, October 15 – 10:30 am to 12 p.m.
- This workshop will introduce you to the components of a computer along with basic keyboard and mouse skills.
- Microsoft Excel 2010 Basics – Saturday, October 18 – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Introduction to the basic features of Microsoft Excel, including basic Excel terminology, screen layout and data entry.
- Microsoft Word Basics – Tuesday, October 21 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Create a document by learning the basics of Word 2010. Using the ribbons, saving, printing, spelling and grammar will be covered.
- Basic Skills II – Wednesday, October 22 – 10:30 am to 12 p.m.
- This workshop will introduce you to the Windows environment along with navigating between different programs.
- Power Point for Beginners – Saturday, October 25 – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Introduction to the basics of PowerPoint. Learn to add and change the background, text and objects in a computerized slide show.
- File Management – Tuesday, October 28 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- In this workshop you will learn how to find, save, copy, move and delete files and folders using File Explorer.
- Internet Basics – Wednesday, October 29 – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Come and learn the basics of exploring the Internet. Navigation and browser basics will be covered. Basic Internet safety will also be discussed.
Century Branch
- Microsoft Word Basics – Thursday, October 23 – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Create a document by learning the basics of Word 2010. Using the ribbons, saving, printing, spelling and grammar will be covered.
Southwest Branch
- Internet Basics – Thursday, October 16 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Come and learn the basics of exploring the Internet. Navigation and browser basics will be covered. Basic Internet safety will also be discussed.
- USB Drive Basics – Thursday, October 30 – 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
- Have you heard of a USB Drive? Maybe you have. They have lots of names- Thumb Drives, Flash Drives, Pin Drives, etc. Learn how to use one and understand what and how much you can store on them.
