March Programs, Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Below is a list of events occurring in March 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.                                                                                         

March Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Bookish Happenings

Southwest Branch Library Book Club

• Thursday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Friendly literary conversation of “The Dreamers” by Karen Thompson Walker.

Graphic Novel Group

• Monday, March 11, 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 February meeting. The group meets monthly to discuss graphic novels.

Popular Literary Book Club

• Wednesday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Join us as we discuss the newest book on the Great American Reads list of 100 best-loved books. “Americanah” is a story of love and race centered around a young man and woman from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home.

Molino Book Club

• Monday, March 25, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Join us as we read “Virgil Wander” by Leif Enger.

Book Events for Youth

Read with a Dog!

• Wednesday, March 13, 4-6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come to Pensacola Library to practice reading to a dog! Kids can bring their own book or borrow one from us and read to Tanner the dog. There will be 15-minute slots available to read to Tanner from 4-6 p.m. Slots are first come, first served. Please call the 436-5038 to reserve your slot.

Pet Partners: Read With Me™

• Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. - noon - Tyron Branch Library
• Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. – noon – 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. Registration is requested.

Hooked on Books – Parent/Child Book Group

• Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Want to connect with your child? Read together! Hooked on Books book group for children grades 3-5 and their parent(s). The book(s) will be decided on during the February meetings. There will be snacks and activities.

STEAM

Open STEAM Lab

• Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

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? Would you like to learn to build your own website using Wix or WordPress or learn how to write HTML code? LEGO® will be available for open play.  We can help you get started. Drop into the STEAM Lab during our open hours and staff will assist you in getting started with robotics, virtual reality, the Silhouette machines, and other technology.

Sewing with STEAM for Grownups

• Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon – Tryon Branch Library

Enjoy a sewing class by one of our STEAM librarians.  All levels of skill are invited to take part. Each week, we’ll learn something new.

Quilt, Stitch and Sew Open Session

• Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. – Pensacola Library

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.

Robotics and Coding Club at Tryon Branch Library

• Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Come explore robotics and coding with the variety of robots that 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 May.

Chess Club

• Saturdays at 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library

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.

CodeyBot - STEAM at Southwest Branch Library

• Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m.

CodeyBot is a robot that dances, makes music, travels far distances and you control the action! It even has laser turrets to battle against your friend’s CodeyBot. Come explore robotics and coding through the CodeyBot applications. Join us for a morning of fun. 

LEGO® Mindstorms Robotics and Coding Club at Tryon Branch Library

• Saturday, March 2, 2 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m.

Come explore LEGO® Mindstorms with West Florida Public Libraries. We will unpack our new kits and start to learn to program the new robots we build. Beginners are welcome. The library will provide all supplies needed. Robotics and Coding Club runs through the end of May.

Osmo Robots - STEAM at Tryon Branch Library

• Tuesday, March 5, 4 p.m.

Osmo is a robot that helps you to learn coding using tangible blocks. Help Awbie find the resources to rebuild his home and find his friends as you program Awbie’s moves through his world using real world tiles. This robot helps you to practice logic, computational thinking, and problem solving. Come join the fun!

Tryon Tuesday – STEAM for Adults: Silhouette Machine Workshop

• Tuesday, March 5, 5 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Come learn to use Silhouette machines to make decorative items for your home, school, or as gifts. We use adhesive vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, and paper. We will help you get started. Beginners welcome.

Tech Play - Family STEAM Night – Pensacola Library

• Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m.

We've got the tools, you've got the talent, so come learn how to make a stop-action video with us. We'll have recording equipment and poseable toys (including Cubelet robotics, Duplos, and LEGO® bricks), but if you want to bring your own action figures, go for it.

Scrap Mechanic

• Saturday, March 9, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Scrap Mechanic is a creative multiplayer sandbox survival game where you engineer your own adventure. Choose from the in-game parts to build amazing contraptions. In Scrap Mechanic, you’re the master builder. The library will provide all the technology tools needed. You just need to bring your imagination and ingenuity.

Scratch Gaming Coding Club

• Saturday, March 16, 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 May.

Let’s Make Art! – Saturday STEAM

• Saturday, March 16, 1:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

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

Dash and Dot -  STEAM at Molino Branch Library

• Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m.

Have you heard about Dash and Dot? They’re robots. Come and learn coding, the newest form of literacy, through hands-on activities and puzzles using Dash and Dot. Join us for this fun learning experience. The library provides all equipment, just bring your enthusiasm and curiosity.

World of Warships Gaming Session

• Thursday, March 21, 10 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Full STEAM ahead! Come be the captain of your own ship as you engage the enemy in battle in this naval combat game. The library will provide both the PC and iPad version of this game.

Build Our Future with LEGO®

• Thursday, March 21, 5:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library

It is time to rebuild the town of Century!  We can go wild with LEGO® and use our imagination to see where it takes us.

Minecraft and LEGO® at the Library

• Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Need something fun to do on a Saturday morning? Come get your build on and play Minecraft or build with LEGO®. You can even create a stop motion video using LEGO® bricks and our iPads. We will provide laptops and computers on which to play Minecraft.

Virtual Reality Glow and Sparkle Party

• Saturday, March 23, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Let’s celebrate spring break with glow-in-the-dark volcanoes and face-painting as well as other glow-in-the-dark accessories. Come mix your own beats with DJ Crayola on the SPROUT computers or try Beatsaber on the Oculus Rift. Some activities are suitable for young children, while others such as VR are best suited for older children.

Let’s Make Art! – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Let’s put the A in STEAM and make some art! Did you know you could create a whole city? Come try it!

Crafts

Westside Loopy Loomers – Westside Branch Library

• Tuesday, March 5, 1 p.m.
• Monday, March 11, 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 19, 1 p.m.
• Monday, March 25, 5 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 to the World – Pensacola Library

• Monday, March 11, 4 p.m.
• Monday, March 25, 4 p.m.

Learn about different cultures and make crafts. Get a new stamp for your “passport” each time you attend. Monday, March 11 we will learn about Germany and on Monday, March 25 we will learn about Canada.

Rock Painting 101

• Thursday, March 14, 4:30-6 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

A local patron will guide you through the fun and creativity of painting rocks for fun. Sponsored by The Friends of the Southwest Branch Library.

Pi Night

• Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.– Pensacola Library

Come celebrate Pi Day by making a circle-inspired art project. You will learn how to make your own compass with materials you have at home and then use our compasses to make cool art. All supplies will be provided.

Tryon Tuesday Craft Night – Leaf Rubbing

• Tuesday, March 26, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Have fun crafting with our crafty librarians making leaf rubbings.  Spring has sprung!

Teen

Teen Tuesday: Virtual Reality, Xbox One X, Board Games and More!

• Tuesdays at 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Teens, join us in the STEAM Lab for access to video games such as Nintendo Switch and Mario Kart, board games, card games and more tech. Bring your friends or come prepared to make new ones. Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.

Research for Teens and Young Adults

• Monday, March 11, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

This is a class for teens and young adults interested in learning how to do better research. It will cover how to find good sources, how to use our databases, the difference between primary and secondary sources, and more. This is a great class to help you write better papers, or participate in science or history fair. Please feel free to bring your laptop with you; they are encouraged but not required.

YAS: Young Adult Social

• Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Young adults are invited to hang out in our new youth-oriented section for snacks and games. Includes Wii bowling and other activities. Last Thursday of every month.

Roaring '20s Jazz Age Speakeasy: Anti-Prom

• Saturday, March 30, 6-9 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Dolls and Gents, look no further for a swell time than our first ever anti-prom modeled after the vibrant Jazz Age. It’ll be the “cat’s pajamas.” In fact, feel free to wear your own pajamas or come dressed according to the times as a mob boss, a flapper, a Golden Age of Hollywood starlet, a living work of Art Deco, or a regular cool cat. We’re not snitches and won’t card you to verify you’re a high school senior. So, if you are between the ages of 12 and 18, join us for an all-teen evening of dancing, gaming, treats, photo ops, and choosing an anti-prom queen and king. The password is "Gatsby."

Movies, Music and Games

Molino Melodies

• Thursdays at 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library 

Join us on Tuesday evenings as we learn to play the mountain dulcimer. No experience or materials required.

Tryon Tuesday Game Night

• Tuesday, March 12, 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 – Aristocats

• Tuesday, March 19, 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 Aristocats, release date 1970, rated G, with a running time of 78 minutes.

Partner Programs

Emerald Coast Kite Flyer’s Club at the Molino Library

• Saturday, March 2, 10:30 a.m.

Join us as we welcome the Emerald Coast Kite Flyer’s Club as they share their love for high flying adventures.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Hunter Safety Course

• Wednesday, March 13, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

All hunters born on or after June 1, 1975 are required to take a hunter safety class to get their hunting license. This class requires completion of the FWC’s free online hunter safety course before attending class. Be sure to bring your certificate of completion for the online course to class. Go to myfwc.com to register and take the online course. Contact Paul Averill at 850-982-8070 for more information.

Health Screenings at Molino Branch Library

• Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. to noon – Molino Branch Library

Courtesy of Sacred Heat's Mission in Motion program, there will be health screenings on blood pressure, anemia and cholesterol.

AARP Tax-Aide

• Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation help to anyone. Services are aimed at those who are 50 and older and/or can’t afford a tax preparation service. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services. AARP membership is not required. The last person is accepted at 1 p.m. The program is jointly sponsored by the IRS and the AARP Foundation and is on a first come, first served basis. Participants should bring a photo I.D., Social Security cards or other official documentation for everyone on the return, a copy of last year’s tax return, tax forms and information for this tax year and a schedule of deductions if they have numerous receipts.

GED Classes – Molino Branch Library

• Monday, March 4, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m.
• Monday, March 11, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.
• Monday, March 25, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28, 6 p.m.

Earn your GED at the Molino Community Center. Classes are held each Monday and Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. in the Molino Community Center. 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 Heritage Quest 101. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can schedule a private session.

Regular Program of the West Florida Genealogical Society

• Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. – Genealogy Branch Library

Come meet the members of the West Florida Genealogical Society. You don’t have to be a member to attend, and they’ll be glad to help you learn more about researching your family history. Each session also provides an opportunity to meet experienced and knowledgeable society members who willingly share their ideas and techniques. Free and open to all.

Wellness

Chair Yoga

• Wednesday, March 6, 10 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library

Want to try yoga? Ease into it with gentle chair yoga  – ideal for seniors and those who have difficulty rising from the floor as well as office workers who sit for hours in a chair. Local patron Sallie Beckes, a 500-hour professional yoga teacher, will guide you through the basics of chair yoga: gentle stretches seated in a chair and also standing postures. Registration requested. Sponsored by The Friends of Southwest Branch Library.

Walk this Way

• Tuesdays at 8 a.m. – Molino Branch Library

Put on your walking shoes and start the year off right. Come out to the track behind the Molino Branch Library on Tuesday mornings and join us as we get our walk on.

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, March 7, 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room A
• Thursday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room A

Preschool Story Time

• Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. – Meeting Room A

Southwest Branch Library
Preschool Story Time

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

Molino Branch Library
STEAM Preschool Story Time

• Wednesday, March 6, 10:30 a.m. – Youth Services Department

If You Plant a Seed

• Wednesday, March 27, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library

Join Miss Lisa and Mo the library lion as they present “If You Plant a Seed” by Kadir Nelson. Plant your very own seed in origami seedling pots made of recycled newspaper. Learn how to take care of your seed and watch it grow into a beautiful plant. 

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesdays at 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 Pensacola Library

• Wednesdays from 3-7:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

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 3-7:30 p.m. and every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 436-5088 to sign up.

Computer Workshop: Basic Skills I

• Thursday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, March 7, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

This workshop will introduce you to the components of a computer along with basic keyboard and mouse skills. 

Microsoft Word

• Saturday, March 2, noon – Pensacola Library

This four-part series will present Microsoft Office 2016 on an intermediate level. Learn how to master Microsoft Word by creating, editing and formatting documents.

Microsoft Excel

• Saturday, March 9, noon – Pensacola Library

This four-part series will present Microsoft Office 2016 on an intermediate level. Learn how to utilize Microsoft Excel by creating spreadsheets to calculate formulas and analyze data.

One-on-One Tech Help at Molino Branch Library

• Saturday, March 9, 1 p.m.
• 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.

Wide Format Printing – Pensacola Library

• Monday, March 11, 6 p.m.
• Monday, March 25, 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.

Microsoft Publisher

• Saturday, March 16, noon – Pensacola Library

This four-part series will present Microsoft Office 2016 on an intermediate level. Learn how to create print publications (newsletters, brochures, invitations and more) using Microsoft Publisher.

Green Screen Class

• Wednesday, March 20, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Come learn how to digitally swap out backgrounds in video and images, just like meteorologists do on TV. We’ll be using green screen technology to put still and video images together in new and different ways.

Computer Workshop: Basic Skills II

• Thursday, March 21, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, March 21, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

This workshop will introduce you to the Windows environment along with navigating between different programs.

One-on-One Resume Help – Molino Branch Library

• Saturday, March 23, 1 p.m.
• Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.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.

Microsoft Office 365

• Saturday, March 30, noon – Pensacola Library

This four-part series will present Microsoft Office 2016 on an intermediate level. Learn how to communicate and collaborate with Microsoft Office 365.