September Programs, Events at West Florida Public Libraries

Below is a list of events occurring in September 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.  

September Events at West Florida Public Libraries
Bookish Happenings

Southwest Branch Library Book Club

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – Southwest Branch Library
  Friendly literary conversation of “Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead.

Enjoy a friendly literary conversation of "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens.

Graphic Novel Group

• Monday, Sept. 9, 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 August meeting. The group meets monthly to discuss graphic novels.

Molino Book Club

• Monday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

  Join us as we read “Chariot on the Mountain” by Jack Ford. Based on little-known true events, this astonishing account from Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Jack Ford vividly recreates a treacherous journey toward freedom, a time when the traditions of the Old South still thrived-and is a testament to determination, friendship, and courage.

Popular Literary Book Club: “Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver

• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
  Join us as we discuss Barbara Kingsolver’s newest novel that interweaves past and present to explore the human capacity for resiliency and compassion in times of great upheaval.

Book events for youth

Reading Buddies

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Each child who attends will have a 15-minute session and will read to buddies who will help them with their reading skills. The kids will be asked questions, guided with vocabulary and plot. Feel free to bring something you are reading in school for extra help, bring your favorite book, or borrow one of ours. Open to all ages.

Pet Partners: Read With Me™

• Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. - noon - Tyron Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 28, 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. Preregistration is requested. 

STEAM

Open STEAM Lab

• Tuesdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come explore the technology that West Florida Public Libraries owns. Learn to code or use the Silhouette machines. Have a sewing project you would like to work on? We have the machines you need. Perhaps you would like to make a poster with the wide format printer. Drop into the STEAM Lab during our open hours and staff will assist you in getting started with your newest project.

Sewing and Quilting with STEAM for Grownups

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

Would you like to learn to sew? Come learn at the library. We provide you the tools to get started. If you are already an experienced seamstress or quilter, come us for the fun and friendship.

Quilt, Stitch and Sew Open Session

• Thursdays from 1 p.m. - 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.

STEAM for Homeschoolers at Tryon Branch Library 

• Fridays at 11 a.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Needing some STEAM to round out your curriculum? Join us every Friday morning for lessons in STEAM. This month’s theme is forces of nature. Classes will be:

September 6 - Gravity

September 13 – What floats - buoyancy

September 20 – Magnetism

September 27 – Friction

Sew, Quilt and Jewelry Session

• Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Pensacola Library

It is finally here! You asked for it, so we made it happen! The Sew, Quilt, & Jewelry Session will begin this fall. Have a pesky chain you can’t get untangled? Want to finish that sewing project? Need to use the Silhouette cutting machine? Bring in new or unfinished projects, your imagination, and come join us! All tools provided by the library.

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.

Coding Stories with Twine

• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

What if the hero tries to outsmart the dragon instead of charging in? You can write a story that ends both ways! Come learn how to write interactive stories with multiple outcomes with Twine. Attendees are expected to be comfortable with basic computer use, but no coding experience is required. For more information visit, twinery.org

Electronics Thursday

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Thursday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

How does that thingamajig work? Let’s take it apart and see what makes it tick. Explore the magical and complicated world of electronics. Come build simple circuits and learn the basic principles of electronics with a hands-on lab environment. No experience needed. For all ages.

Let’s Make Art! – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Let’s put the A in STEAM and make some art! Come learn to paint like Vincent Van Gogh. Paint Starry Night or his famous Sunflowers. Van Gogh is the inspiration for this Family STEAM Night of fun!

FIRST LEGO® League Jr. Informational Meeting at Tryon Branch Library

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 1 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

West Florida Public Libraries is exploring starting a FIRST LEGO League Jr. team. If your children, ages 6 -10,  are interested in joining a team to answer this year’s Boomtown Build challenge, then please join us for more information and to sign up. We will meet every other Saturday for 12 sessions. We will use the LEGO Inspire set of bricks and a WeDo 2.0 kit to build our solution. This is a free program with no cost to the team members.  Beginners are welcome. The library will provide all supplies needed.

LEGO® WeDo 2.0 Robotics Club at Tryon Branch Library

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Come explore LEGO® WeDo 2.0 robotics with the West Florida Public Libraries. We will build different robots using the LEGO® WeDo 2.0 kit, exploring different robot functions as well as learning how to code the robots we build. Beginners are welcome. The library will provide all supplies needed.

Tryon Tuesday: Back to School Stickers

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Come make vinyl stickers to decorate all of your back to school items using the silhouette machines. Tag your stuff with the stickers you design.

Tryon Tuesday – Make a Mug! Adult Maker Session: Silhouette Projects

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Have you seen those cool personalized mugs and wondered how you can make one? Well, now, you can make that too! Come see us at our Maker Session using a silhouette machine, a cutting machine. Bring your ideas or make the project of the month!

Family STEAM Night: Game Night

• Thursday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

All kinds of games can be fun and challenging to play. Come play games and even learn how to design and make your own! We’ll try different sorts, including cooperative and competitive, tabletop and digital, simple and complex, and more.

Let’s Make Art! – Saturday STEAM

• Saturday, Sept. 14, 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.

Minecraft and LEGO® at Tryon Branch Library

• Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 28, 2 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Come get your build on as we play Minecraft and build with LEGO® bricks. Beginners are welcome. The library will provide all supplies needed.

Back to School Stickers

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m. - Century Branch Library

Come make vinyl stickers to decorate all of your back to school items using the silhouette machines. Tag your stuff with the stickers you design.

Flag Fun with LEGO®

• Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Build flags with LEGO. Go around the world learning flag colors and designs of countries near and far!

Jazz it Up with Jewelry! – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Would you like to learn how to make jewelry? Come join us for Jazz it up with Jewelry Family STEAM Night and learn basic beginners’ jewelry making. We will make bracelets, earrings, necklaces and more. Each session we will offer a new project to delight all ages and cover topics such as beading, wire wrapping, and plaiting / knotting leather cords. This month’s project will be cord and glass bead bracelet using beading techniques. All materials are provided by the library.

Geocaching – Family STEAM Night

• Thursday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come learn about geocaching, which is treasure hunting using your smartphone’s Global Positioning System (GPS). Follow the GPS clues to a particular location and try and find the treasure. Also, come make your own swag to share with the world of geocaching.

Closures

Labor Day

• Monday, Sept. 2, all day – All branches

All West Florida Public Libraries locations are closed for the holiday. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Crafts

Westside Loopy Loomers

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 23, 5 p.m. – Westside Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 30, 5 p.m. – Westside Branch Library

Come and help give back to the community by making slippers for dialysis patients and nest for abandon baby wildlife. All ages are welcome.

Molino is Sew Cool

• Monday, Sept. 9, 1 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

  Join us as we learn the fundamentals of sewing and make potholders. No experience or materials necessary.

Fairy Gardens

• Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m.– Pensacola Library

  Release your inner "Fairy" to create a home for our little friends. Jewels, bright colors, butterflies, ribbons and more will decorate the gardens. All materials will be provided. Recommended for ages 4 to 13.

Back to School Backpack Personalization Party

• Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library

School days got you down? Come to Molino and add some bling to your backpack! Join us as we figure out the best way to make your backpack stand out in a crowd.

Teen

Teen Tuesday: Virtual Reality, Xbox One X, and more Tech!

• 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.

YAS: Young Adult Social

• Thursday, Sept. 26, 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.

Movies, Music and Games

Molino Melodies

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

Join us on Thursday evenings as we learn to play the mountain dulcimer. Bring your dulcimer and join, or try one of ours. Beginners welcome.

Uke’n’Play

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Come make some happy sounds and learn how to play the ukulele!  Beginner instruction is from 4-4:30 and will cover instrument handling, tuning, basic chords, etc.  Then, jam with us from 4:30-5:30 as we share techniques and learn songs together.  Bring your own ukulele, or borrow one of ours during the class. 

Tryon Tuesday: Game Night

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 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

• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. – Tryon Branch Library

Pokémon Detective Pikachu: release date 2019, rated PG, with a running time of 104 minutes.

Partner Programs

Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounter

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. - Tryon Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 1 p.m. - Southwest Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 7, 3 p.m. - Pensacola Library
• Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:30 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Join us for a fun, hands-on adventure featuring live exotic pets from Nonie’s Ark Animal Encounters! She will provide a one-hour presentation with 7 small exotic animals to a limited sized crowd as to allow everyone a chance to touch! You will learn about their natural history, behaviors, habitats and why they were unwanted by their previous owners. Recommended for ages 4-12, but all ages are welcome. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/noniesark/ and https://noniesark.com/

Fall Gardening Class

• Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library

Learn Fall gardening tips for vegetables and flowers with local gardener Paul Flores.

A Visit from Center of Independent Living

• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

Come in and learn more about the programs and services offered by CIL Disability Resource Center, Inc. offered to people with all types of disabilities in our area. September’s focus Topic will be on Service Animals and Advocacy issues.

Pensacola Opera: The Enchanted Forest

• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m. - Tryon Branch Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m.– Molino Branch Library

The Enchanted Forest is a “Choose Your Own Adventure" opera. Escape to the Enchanted Forest, where you help create the unique magic of every performance!  Complete with dramatic twists and turns, and music from iconic composers including Mozart and Bizet. Each performance depends on audience participation to find the right path and make the best choice.

GED Classes

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

Earn your GED at the Molino Community Center. Classes are held each Monday and Thursday evening from 6 to 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 ex. 2361 for more information. Visit georgestonecenter.com to register. No class on Monday, Sept. 2

Genealogy

One-on-One Assistance and Instruction

• Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. – 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, Sept. 7, 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, Sept. 4, 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 arising 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. Sponsored by The Friends of Southwest Branch Library.

Walk this Way

• Saturday, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 :30a.m. – Molino Branch Library

Put on your walking shoes and enjoy this lovely weather before the day heats up. Come out to the track behind the Molino library on Saturday mornings to start your Saturday off on the right foot.

Story Time 

Pensacola Library

Bouncy Babies Story Time

• Mondays at 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Tryon Branch Library

Mommy & Me

• Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Mommy & Me is a lap sit program for babies and their special someone. Stories and activities are designed for children under 3 years of age.

STEAM Preschool Story Time

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool story time is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their parents. Activities encourage Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math.

Preschool Story Time

• Thursday, Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool story time is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their parents. Activities include stories, songs, felt boards, puppets, musical instruments, movement and laughter.

Southwest Branch Library

Preschool Story Time

• Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Molino Branch Library

STEAM Preschool Story Time

• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story Time

• Wednesday, Sept. 11, 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m.

Century Branch Library

Preschool Story Time

• Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.

Computer Classes

Sign up for One-on-One Tech Help at Pensacola

• Wednesdays from 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Fridays from 10 a.m. - 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 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 436-5088 to sign up for your time slot.

Digitization Help

• Fridays from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. – Genealogy Branch Library

West Florida Public Libraries wants to help you get your important documents and photos digitized. Sign up today for a one-on-one session where we will help you scan and save your items to a flash drive. Call (850) 436-5067 to reserve your 30-minute time slot. Drop-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis.

A/V Creative Space Workshop

• Mondays from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Do you need help with your audio and visual media production? Come learn to grow your YouTube and Live streaming channels in an open lab environment. Network with other content creators and learn best practices. Learn some basic principles of marketing and where to publish your content to get the best chance for growth. 

Computer Workshop: Word 2016 Basics

• Thursday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

Word 2016 Basics Create a document by learning the basics of Word 2016. Using the ribbons, spelling and grammar, saving and printing will be covered.

Microsoft Word Workshop

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Learn to create and edit documents with Microsoft Word. You will practice using its tools to create the documents you need. Perfect for job seekers, this workshop will help you build your computer skills.

Microsoft Excel Workshop

• Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Microsoft Excel is useful in the business world and this workshop will equip you with the skills you need to create and edit spreadsheets. Perfect for those entering the workforce, this workshop will help you build your computer skills.

One-on-One Tech Help at Molino

• Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

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

• Monday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Monday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Need to print a banner or oversized poster for your next party or meeting? Come learn how to make your own large banner or poster that you will take home with you. You will learn how to print your poster on the library’s wide format plotter.

Resume Writing Workshop

• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Are you looking for a job? Are you needing help with your resume? Come to this workshop to learn how to set up and fill out your resume to give you an edge in your job search.

Green Screen Class

• Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Monday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library
• Wednesday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library
• Monday, Sept. 30, 6 p.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.

YouTube Class

• Wednesday, Sept. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Want to promote your business, art, talent, comedy, or gaming online? Would you like to create training videos to post on YouTube? Come learn how to create and manage a YouTube Channel.  We will cover everything from creating a basic channel to building your brand with marketing and how to manage a large-scale channel with playlists.  The class will cover how to post your videos, basic analytics, tagging, and end screen cards and prompts of your videos. Basic computer skills are a prerequisite. Computers available on site but feel free to bring your laptop.

Live Streaming with Twitch Class

• Wednesday, Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m. – Pensacola Library

Come learn how to create and manage a Twitch Channel. We will cover building a channel and how to stream your video and what options support overlays and extensions. We will cover how to set up and incorporate stream extensions. The class will teach you how to use green screens 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.

Computer Workshop: Excel 2016 Basics

• Thursday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. – Southwest Branch Library
• Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. – Century Branch Library

This class is for people who are new to Excel. Attendees will learn how to navigate around a spreadsheet and learn basic formatting skills. 

One-on-One Resume Help

• Monday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Molino Branch Library
• Monday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Molino Branch Library

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.

Job Seekers Workshop

• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6 p.m. – Pensacola Library

Learn Internet skills to help you with your job search as well as how to set up an email and LinkedIn account. This class will help you to land that job.

Tech Savvy Seniors

• Thursdays at noon – Gull Point Community Center

If you're struggling to search for answers to your questions using Google or challenged by the click of an unknown link, come ready to learn about using computers and other tech devices every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Gull Point Resource Center.