August Programs, Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Below is a list of events occurring in August at West Florida Public Libraries in Escambia County. For more information about library events, contact the Pensacola Library at 850-436-5060. Visit mywfpl.com, like West Florida Public Libraries - WFPL on Facebook and follow @MyWFPL on Twitter for up-to-date event announcements and more.

West Florida Public Library Locations

• Pensacola Library: 239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, 32502, 850-436-5060
• Century Branch Library: 7991 N. Century Blvd., Century, 32535, 850-256-6217
• West Florida Genealogy Branch Library: 5740 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola, 32504, 850-494-7373
• Molino Branch Library: 6450-A Highway 95A, Molino, 32577, 850-435-1760
• Southwest Branch Library: 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, 32507, 850-453-7780
• Tryon Branch Library: 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola, 32504, 850-471-6980
• Westside Branch Library: 1301 W. Gregory St., Pensacola, 32502, 850-595-1047

For hours of each WFPL location, visit mywfpl.com/locations.

August Events at West Florida Public Libraries
Bookish Happenings

Book events for adults

Southwest Branch Book Club

• Thursday, Aug. 3, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Saturday, Aug. 12, 2 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Friendly literary conversation of “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch. Light refreshments will be served. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Southwest Branch Library.

Graphic Novel Group

• Monday, Aug. 14, 5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Join Pop Comics owner Harley Orr and Pensacola Library staff in a discussion of a graphic novel that participants will decide on during the July meeting. The group will meet monthly to discuss graphic novels.

“Swing Time” by Zadie Smith Book Discussion

• Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Two girls dream of being dancers – but only one, Tracey, has talent. Tracey makes it to the chorus line but struggles with adult life, while her friend leaves the old neighborhood behind, traveling the world as an assistant to a famous singer, Aimee, observing close up how the one percent live. But when Aimee develops grand philanthropic ambitions, the story moves from London to West Africa, where diaspora tourists travel back in time to find their roots, young men risk their lives to escape into a different future and the women dance just like Tracey.

 “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi Book Discussion

• Thursday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

At the age of 36, on the verge of completing a decade's worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. “When Breath Becomes Air” chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a naive medical student into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.

Molino Book Discussion

• Monday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Take a break from the summer heat and join us at the Molino Library for a discussion of the new mystery novel “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls” by Emily Carpenter. This book is set in Mobile, Alabama.

Book events for youth

Pet Partners Read With Me

• Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Come practice reading with a furry friend.

American Girl Book Club: ‘Meet Molly’ meeting 1 of 3

• Saturday, Aug. 19, 2 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Children will learn what life was like for an American girl growing up during WWII in America through the book, activities and food of the era. For Molly McIntire, life seems full of change. It's 1944 and the world is at war. Her father is far away caring for wounded soldiers. Her mother is busy working for the Red Cross. And everyone in America is so serious and practical that glamorous Halloween costumes are hard to get. Molly's special hula skirt is a huge success -- until Ricky, her pesky big brother, plays a mean trick. Molly and her friends are determined to get back at him. One mean trick leads to another until the fighting goes too far. Each child receives a free copy of the book from Friends of the Southwest Branch Library, who also provide all supplies for the meeting activities. Preregistration is requested.

Teen events

Back-to-School Bento Boxes

• Tuesday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Bento lunch boxes are a popular trend in Japan, where various food items are cut into fun and unique shapes. Come learn how to make the coolest looking lunch in school. Participants will also receive back-to-school goodie bags. Teens ages 13-17 are welcome.

Crafts

Westside Loopy Loomers

• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1 p.m. – Westside Branch Library

Learn to loom knit hats, scarves, lap blankets and other items as we give back to the community. Yarn and Looms are provided. All ages are welcome.

STEAMpunk Altered Books

• Thursday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Tweens, teens and adults will be taught to create an original steampunk book using vintage books, jewelry, gears, chains and other collections of odd found objects. These creations will be fit for display. All materials will be provided at the event.

STEAM

Lego night
Pensacola Library

• Tuesday, Aug. 1, 6 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 6 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 22, 6 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m. 

Visit the craft room to create with Lego®. There will be building challenges and open play. Best enjoyed by ages 2 and up; parent or caregiver must be present.

Scratch Programming Intro Workshop

• Saturday, Aug. 26, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Saturday, Aug. 12, 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come check out Scratch, a kid-friendly programming language, with our introductory workshops. Scratch can be used to create animation, games, music, art and other audiovisual projects. WFPL will host two introductory sessions in August, with biweekly workshops beginning in September. Come see if Scratch is for you. 

STEAM Family Night – Cubelets

• Thursday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

WFPL has new robots. Come build your unique powered creation. These robots are handheld blocks that snap together and respond to light, temperature and distance. This session will be free play and is an introductory session to Beginning Robotics workshops starting in September. 

Family Saturday STEAM - Solar Eclipse

• Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. – Pensacola Library

How does something as small as the moon block out the massive sun? Special guest Dr. Wayne Wooten from Pensacola State College will present the hows and whys of the upcoming solar eclipse. Free solar viewing glasses will be available for patrons, provided by the National Science Foundation. Children will be able to make their own alien hats, with other space-age fun available. All ages are welcome.

Family Saturday STEAM: Put On Your Thinking Cap

• Saturday, Aug. 26 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Has your brainstorming become more of a brain storm? Perhaps you need your very own thinking cap to help with those light bulb moments.

Celebrations

Total Solar Eclipse Viewing

• Monday, Aug. 21, Noon – 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library

We will have the library’s solar telescope set up (weather permitting) to allow patrons safe viewing of the total solar eclipse. Don’t miss this rare event. This is the first total solar eclipse over the entire United States since 1918. The eclipse will begin at 12:03 p.m. with maximum coverage of the sun at 1:35 p.m., and ending at 3:02 p.m. Be sure to bring your smartphone to capture a picture of the sun before the eclipse begins. WFPL will also be giving away free solar viewing glasses thanks to the National Science Foundation. As Pensacola is not in the direct path of the eclipse, the sun will not be totally covered, but the sky will definitely darken and the view will be amazing.

Movies and Music

Tryon’s Ticket-free Tuesdays
Tryon Branch Library

• Tuesday, Aug. 1, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 15, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.

Come in to Tryon Branch Library for a Tuesday night movie showing. You don’t need a ticket to enjoy these showings of recent movies. On Aug. 1, we’re in the dog days of August with “A Dog’s Purpose”. The dramedy about a dog and his many reincarnated lives is rated PG. On Aug. 8, go Hollywood with “La La Land”. The 2016 winner of six Academy Awards is a whirlwind of dancing, singing, dreaming and loving. On Aug. 15, prepare for a movie with heart with “The Space Between Us”. The space romance is rated PG-13. On Aug. 22, enjoy a nostalgic evening with the 2017 live-action “Beauty and the Beast”. Finish off the month on Aug. 29 with “The Founder”, about the birth and rise of the McDonald’s franchise.

Partner Programs

Northwest Florida Modelers      

• Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Come join the Northwest Florida Modelers as they demonstrate amazing feats of flying with their remote controlled aircraft. This event will be held in the field behind the community center.

Regular Meeting of the West Florida Genealogical Society

• Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library

Meet the members of the West Florida Genealogical Society. Non-members are welcome to attend and learn more about researching family history from the more experienced members.

Story Time

Pensacola Library
Preschool Story Time

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., Youth Services Department

Bouncy Babies Story Time

• Mondays at 10:30 a.m., Youth Services Department

Tryon Branch Library

Mommy & Me

• Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room B

Lapsit is a program for babies and their special someone.

Molino Branch Library

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department

Computer Classes

Molino One-on-One Tech Help
Molino Branch Library

• Wednesday, Aug. 2, noon
• Thursday, Aug. 3, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 9, noon
• Thursday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 16, noon
• Thursday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 23, noon
• Thursday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 30, noon
• Thursday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m.

Get 30 minutes of individual technology help at Molino Branch Library every Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find email, increase computer knowledge, improve skills with a smart phone, learn how to download e-books and more. Call 850-435-1760 to reserve a session. 

Ancestry

• Thursday, Aug. 10, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Come and learn about researching your family history and how to use WFPL’s Ancestry Library Edition database.

Microsoft Workshop: Office 365

• Thursday, Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Let’s get started with your Office 365 subscription. You will explore the many helpful apps and learn how Office 365 keeps you connected and informed.