October Programs, Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Below is a list of events occurring in October 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.                                                                                         

October Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Bookish Happenings

Southwest Branch Library Book Club

• Thursday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Friendly literary conversation of “Only Child” by Rhiannon Navin.

WFPL “The Great American Read” Book Talks

• Monday, Oct. 1, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Join us as we discuss the latest developments in WSRE’s hit series The Great American Read. We will discuss “Swan Song” by Robert McCammon and other apocalyptic hits.

Graphic Novel Group

• Monday, Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. - Pensacola Library

Join Pop Comics owner Harley Orr and Pensacola Library staff in a discussion of a graphic novel decided on during the September meeting. The group meets monthly to discuss graphic novels.

WFPL Author Spotlight: Julie Still-Rolin

• Saturday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Julie Still-Rolin is a native of Atmore, Alabama who recently moved to Pensacola with her wife and two teenagers to be closer to the beach and launch a new consulting business. In addition to writing and speaking, she also paints, DJs and is hosting a conference in January for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and creators. She is a board member of West Florida Literary Federation, a volunteer for Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast and a published member of the Florida Writer’s Association.

Popular Literary Book Club

• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Friendly literary conversation of “The Immoralists” by Chloe Benjamin.

Molino Book Club

• Monday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Join us at the Molino Library for “Fata Morgana” by Steven R. Boyett and Ken Mitchroney. This is a fast-paced alternate-world adventure that starts at the height of WWII bombing mission.

Book events for youth

Pet Partners: Read With Me™

• Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library

School-aged children are invited to register for a 15-minute session to pick a book and practice reading with a furry friend. Dogs and handlers are coordinated through Pet Partners and Cherry Point Dog Training Inc. Preregistration is requested.

Hooked on Books – Parent/Child Book Group

• Thursday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Want to connect with your child? Read together! This is an introductory session of Hooked on Books book group for children grades 3-5 and their parent(s). You will get a chapter book to read together, play games, have a snack and get to know the other members.

STEAM

Robots with STEAM at WFPL

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Thursday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Saturday, Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Robots! STEAM staff members will bring robots to the library branches for you to learn and play. Come join in the fun as you explore what these robots can do. Each session begins with an introduction to coding principles and will include a challenge for you to work through with your robot.

Open STEAM Lab – Pensacola Library

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. - noon
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. - noon
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. - noon
• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. - noon
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. - noon

Would you like to explore some of the robots and other technology tools that West Florida Public Libraries owns? Would you like to become trained to use the machines in the Technology Lab? Drop into the STEAM Lab during our open hours and staff will assist you in getting started with robotics, virtual reality or the Silhouette machines.

LEGO® Night – Pensacola Library

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 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.

What’s News? – Information Literacy Workshop

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 5:30 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 31, 5:30 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Friday, Oct. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library
• Friday, Oct. 12, 4 p.m. – Genealogy Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a story or article is accurate, from a reliable source or even if it is meant to be taken seriously at all. Join us for an information literacy workshop where students and adults will evaluate a variety of online resources for reliability and accuracy.

Live Stream Video via Twitch Class – Pensacola Library

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.

Come learn how to create and manage a Twitch Channel. We will cover building a channel, how to stream your video, what options support overlays and extensions, incorporate stream extensions and how to set them up, and how use the green screen and Chroma keys to make you look like a professional. Basic computer skills are a prerequisite. Computers available on site but feel free to bring your laptop.

Quilt, Stitch and Sew Open Session – Pensacola Library

• Thursday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m.

Come learn to quilt, stitch or sew. Want to learn to crochet? Want to brush up on your sewing skills? Want to spend time together with like-minded people working on your craft project? The library has sewing machines and other tools you can use to produce your creations.

LEGO® Boost Robotics and Coding Club at Tryon Branch Library

• Saturday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m.

Come have fun building a LEGO® Boost robot and then learn to code it. We will explore the many builds possible with the LEGO® Boost. We will then take our building even further by answering challenges which will test your creativity. The library will provide all supplies needed. Robotics and Coding Club will run through the end of December.

Family Friendly Improv Class – Pensacola Library

• Sunday, Oct. 7, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 21, 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 28, 2:30 p.m.

Come learn basic improv techniques and games like those in the comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Improv is storytelling without a script. All ages welcome, but parents must accompany younger children.

Website Coding Workshop – Pensacola Library

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.

Would you like to learn to build your own website? We can help you get started with website builders such as Wix and WordPress. Do you want to learn more of the actual HTML code used in building a website? We can help you get started with that as well. Come learn the basics of HTML coding in this class. No prior coding experience is required. 

YouTube Class

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come learn how to create and manage a YouTube Channel. We will cover everything from building a basic channel to managing a large-scale channel with playlists. The class will cover basic analytics, tagging, and end screen cards and prompts of your videos. Basic computer skills and use a prerequisite. Computers available onsite, but feel free to bring your laptop.

Fairy Gardens – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Release your inner fairy and come create a garden for your little friends to occupy. All materials will be provided.

Robotics and Coding Club at Tryon Branch Library

• Friday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.
• Friday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.

Come explore robotics and coding with the variety of robots that the West Florida Public Libraries has to offer. You will learn coding principles and how to program robots to help you solve the session’s challenge. The library will provide all equipment, just bring your enthusiasm and curiosity. Robotics and Coding Club will run through December.

Minecraft at Molino Branch Library

• Saturday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. 

Come get your build on and play Minecraft as hosted by the West Florida Public Libraries. Beginners are welcome. We will provide laptops and iPads.

Halloween Costume Party

• Saturday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Haunt our halls on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1-3:30 p.m. and join us for face painting and fake wounds, a costume competition and festive spookiness galore. Some people are just dying to come!

Chess Class – Pensacola Library

• Saturday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m.

We will help you learn how to play one of the oldest games in the world. Whether you are a brand-new beginner or a master chess player, this is a chance to learn new skills, practice your moves and improve your game in a friendly environment. All playing levels are welcome, including beginners. The library will provide all the chess boards and pieces.

Scratch Gaming Coding Club

• Saturday, Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Come learn to create games using Scratch, a kid-friendly programming language. Coding Club will run through the end of December.

Zombie Dolls – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Join us to create your own zombie doll. We will be using paints, markers, scissors and other craft supplies. Examples and all materials will be provided.

Let’s Make Art! – Family STEAM Night at Pensacola Library

• Thursday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.

Let’s put the A in STEAM and make some art! Come try your hand at acrylic paint pouring techniques during Family STEAM Night.

LEGO® at the Library

• Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Come build cool stuff with LEGO® bricks. The library will provide the LEGO® bricks, you just need to bring your imagination. Duplo® bricks will be available for the little ones.

Crafts

Westside Loopy Loomers – Westside Branch Library

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 1 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 8, 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22, 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 1 p.m.

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.

Passport Around the World – Pensacola Library

• Monday, Oct. 8, 4 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m.

Learn about different cultures and make crafts. Get a new stamp for your “passport” each time you attend. Learn about Saudi Arabia on Monday, Oct. 8 and about Australia on Monday, Oct. 22.

Tryon Tuesday Story and Craft

• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Enjoy the wonderful story, "Leo: A Ghost Story" by Mac Barnett and make your own yarn ghost. We will be serving mint tea and homey toast.

Teen

Virtual Reality, Xbox One X, Board Games and More! – Pensacola Library

• Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m.

Join us in the STEAM Lab for access to video games, board games, card games and more tech. Bring your friends or come prepared to make new ones. Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.

Games and Movies

Tryon Tuesday Game Night

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Have fun with the whole family playing one of our many board games.

Tryon Tuesday Movie Night for the Family – Alice in Wonderland

• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

We’re showing classic movies for the whole family once a month with popcorn. This month’s film is Alice in Wonderland, release date 1951, rated G, with a running time of 75 minutes.

Celebrations

Star Wars Reads at Pensacola Library

• Saturday, Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate Star Wars Reads, which takes place the entire month of October. All ages can get their photo taken with the Stormtroopers, go on a rock hunt throughout the library to find Star Wars-themed painted rocks, enter raffle drawings, play a virtual reality game and get in front of the green screen for a Star Wars-themed photo op. Kids can also make Jabba slime, decorate their own droid, and make a lightsaber to take home.

Haunting Halloween

• Thursday, Oct. 25, 4:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Goblins and Ghouls all around – a place to hide cannot be found!  Wear your costume and haunt the library for lots of frightening fun and goodies.

It Happened One Night at the Molino Library

• Saturday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.

Join us for a spooktacular good time. Come dressed in your favorite costume. Trick-or-treat through the library and tour the Spooky Museum, if you dare!

Halloween Night Guessing Game

• Tuesday, Oct. 30, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Drop by the library anytime between 4-6 p.m. to try guessing what is in the box. Every guesser wins a treat. Costumes are a treat for us, so feel free to show up in your get-up!

Partner Programs

Hansel and Gretel – Presented by Pensacola Opera

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Pensacola Opera presents a performance of Hansel and Gretel. You don’t want to miss this!

Hunter Safety Class

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Get ready for the fall hunting season. Hunters need this class to get their hunting license. This class requires completion of the Florida's free online hunter safety course before attending class. Go to myfwc.com to register and take the online course. Contact Paul Averill, Florida Fish and Wildlife Hunter Safety Instructor, at 850-982-8070 for more information.

GED Classes – Molino Branch Library

• Thursday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22. 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 29. 6 p.m.

Earn your GED at the Molino Community Center. Classes are held each Monday and Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. This is an open enrollment program, so students may enroll anytime during the semester. Contact Patricia Harrison at George Stone 850-941-6200 ext. 2361 for more information. Visit georgestonecenter.com to register.

Genealogy

One-on-One Assistance and Instruction

• Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Genealogy Branch Library

Come to the Genealogy Branch Library for one-on-one sessions on searching for the deceased, introduction to Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest 101. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule a private session.

West Florida Genealogical Society Monthly Program

• Saturday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library

Join us for our monthly program and meet the members of the West Florida Genealogical Society. You don’t have to be a member to attend. Enjoy coffee and refreshments.

Story Time

Pensacola Library
Bouncy Babies Story Time

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

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesdays 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.

STEAM Preschool Story Time

• Thursday, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room B
• Thursday, Oct. 18, 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room B

Preschool Story Time

• Thursday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room B

Southwest Branch Library
Preschool Story Time

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

Molino Branch Library
STEAM Preschool Story Time

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department
• Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department
• Wednesday, Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department

Century Branch Library
Preschool Story Time

• Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. – Youth Services

Computer Classes

One-on-One Tech Help at Molino Branch Library

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, noon
• Thursday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, noon
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, noon
• Thursday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24. 26, noon
• Thursday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 30, noon

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

Hands-on Help

• Thursday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Do you need a little assistance with a device or computer related task? Sign up for this session and receive hands-on help

Email Basics

• Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library
• Thursday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library

This workshop will cover email basics such as how to compose, send and receive email messages and attachments, as well as basic email security tips.

One-on-One Tech Help at Pensacola Library

• Wednesday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 12 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m.

Do you need help with using a smartphone? Need to know the basic functions of your personal laptop? Sign up for a 30-minute one-on-one session for any topic under basic computer skills during open computer lab hours every Wednesday from 3-5:30 p.m. and every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 436-5088 to sign up.

Computer Basics – Pensacola Library

• Saturday, Oct. 13, noon
• Saturday, Oct. 20, noon
• Saturday, Oct. 27, noon

Think of the computer as a hybrid of a TV and a typewriter and the Internet as a library. This workshop series introduces easy concepts for using computers to adults 18 and over.

Wide Format Printing – Pensacola Library

• Monday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.

Want to create your own large banner or poster?  Attend this workshop and staff will help you explore and experience the library’s wide format plotter.

Resume Help – Molino Branch Library

• Monday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.
• Monday, Oct. 8, 11 a.m.
• Monday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m.
• Monday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.
• Monday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m.

Are you looking for a job and need to get your resume put together? Schedule a 45-minute appointment at Molino Branch Library. You will get personalized help to polish up your resume and make it stand out from the crowd. Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.