LIBRARY INFO FOR MAY

Libraries will be closed Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.

May is National Military Appreciation Month. During this important month, Americans have the opportunity to stand together to thank our military for their patriotic service in support of our country.  Join the Santa Rosa County Library System to recognize and show appreciation for the contributions of the courageous men and women who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Let our local military know how much they are appreciated! Visit your local Santa Rosa County Library and fill out a star to thank our local service members for their service. The stars will be displayed in each library throughout the month.

Members of the military and their dependents can register to win a gift pack at the library during the month of May. Show your military ID when you check out items at the desk and you’ll be entered.  Drawings will be held during the first four weeks of the month.

On Mondays from 9 a.m. until noon, library volunteers are available at the Milton Library located at 5541 Alabama Street, to provide general genealogy research guidance; one-on-one assistance in using online and print genealogy resources for family researchers; and assistance in filling out ancestral charts and family group records. Beginners and seasoned researchers are invited to use these services. To ensure a volunteer is available to assist you, please call before you visit.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. This week is dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children. In honor of Children’s Book Week, the library is hosting a special family program. Children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to enjoy activities and stories through TumbleBooks.

Programs will be held during the following times:

* 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 2 at the Jay Library

* 11 – 11:30 a.m. or 1 – 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 at the Navarre Library

* 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4 at the Milton Library

* 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4 at the Gulf Breeze Library

* 11 – 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6 at the Pace Library

In consideration of all participants, programs will start promptly at the assigned times. In order to minimize distractions, latecomers will not be admitted.

Military records not only verify an ancestor’s role in wars or military service, but they can sometimes provide important genealogical information – marriage, names and birth dates of children, and even physical descriptions. In celebration of Military Appreciation Month, each library will host a presentation about using military records for genealogy research. Learn how to identify possible military ancestors and where to find their records online and off-line. Bring a pedigree (ancestor) chart filled out to the best of your knowledge. You can download and print a pedigree chart at here. Contact Margaret Chatraw for more information or questions at [email protected] or by phone at 981-4066.

To honor our military, the Santa Rosa County Library System is showing a family movie about a war hero who happens to be a dog. When his handler is killed he has difficulty adjusting to life without him. Luckily, his handler’s brother adopts him and nurtures him back to health. This movie is free and open to the public.

“May the 4th Be With You” as you watch the latest movie released in the Star Wars saga. All the fun will awaken at the Jay Library on May 4! This event is free and open to the public. The Jay Library is located at 5259 Booker Lane.

Looking for a way to reduce some stress, relax, and release your creativity? Join us for an hour of morning of fun on the first Friday of every month at 10 a.m. Coloring is for the young and the young at heart. This program is free and open to adults 18 and older. Advance registration is not required.  Supplies and coffee are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. The Gulf Breeze Library is located at 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Join the Friends of the Milton Library for their book sale in the Milton Library meeting room. Sale dates are Friday, May 6 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 9 a.m. – noon. There is something for everyone, so check it out. This event is free and open to the public. Support your local Friends group! Consider becoming a member. The Milton Library is located at 5541 Alabama Street. Please visit the Friends website at http://friendsofthemiltonlibrary.wordpress.com/ for more information.

Board meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 10:15 a.m. at the Navarre Library.  PLEASE NOTE: This month’s meeting has been changed to May 2, the first Monday of the month. The Navarre Library is located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road. Please see the Friends website at www.friendsofnavarrelibrary.org for more information.

Join us in celebrating the Santa Rosa County Library System’s 10^th birthday! The library system has made some changes over the past 10 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the significant contributions the library system has made to the community.

To thank you for being part of our story, enter to win a $10 gift card for a book store when you check out items on the 10^th of each month through October. Gift cards are provided through the generosity of the Friends of the Library groups. There will be one winner each month at each library.

In October, a special birthday party will be held at all five Santa Rosa County Libraries in Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre, and Pace. Stay tuned for details!

Board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze Library. The Gulf Breeze Library is located at 1060 Shoreline Drive. Please see the Friends website atwww.facebook.com/friendsofgblibrary for more information.

Board meetings are held at the Pace Library. The Pace Library is located at 4750 Pace Patriot Boulevard. Please see the Friends website at www.friendsofpacelibrary.org for additional information.

The Friends of the Milton Library Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, excluding the summer months, at 2:30 p.m. at the Milton Library with the annual membership meeting held each December. Please visit the Friends website at http://friendsofthemiltonlibrary.wordpress.com for details. The Milton Library is located at 5541 Alabama Street.

Come, Sit, Stay & Read with a furry friend in the Navarre Library. Registration is required. The program is held on the second Wednesday each month in the Navarre Library located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road. Contact the Navarre Library for more information or to sign up.

This month, participants will choose a book by Jon Krakauer and discuss him as an author. The non-fiction book club meets at the Gulf Breeze Library study room on the second Wednesday of every other month. Please call the library or drop by to sign up and speak to a staff member for details. The Gulf Breeze Library is located at1060 Shoreline Drive.

Bereavement Support – Navarre Library

Meeting are held at the Navarre Library on the second and fourth Fridays from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The sessions address grief support and offer assistance, love and listening ears to those grieving the loss of a loved one. All materials are provided and no reservation is required. There is no charge to participate. The Navarre Library is located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road.

Come, Sit, Stay & Read with a furry friend in the Pace Library. Registration is required. The program is held on the second Saturday of each month at the Pace Library located at 4750 Pace Patriot Boulevard. Contact the Pace Library for more information or to sign up.

Learn and share graphic art skills in a fun environment on the third Tuesday of each month. The Animation Club is dedicated to the enjoyment and promotion of animation, cartooning, and related arts. Bring your art, discuss techniques of drawing, cartooning, anime and manga art, as well as your favorite title and artists in those genres. The Animation Club is open to youth in grades 6 – 8.  Registration is not required. The Gulf Breeze Library is located at 1060 Shoreline Drive.

Join fellow graphic novel enthusiasts at the Milton Library on the third Tuesday each month to discuss the book of the month. This club will be enjoyed by the new and seasoned graphic novel reader. Members can suggest reading ideas, interests, and discuss the world of the graphic novel. This month’s selection is “Anya’s Ghost” by Vera Brosgol. Please speak with a staff member to sign up. The Milton Library is located at 5541 Alabama Street.

Melissa Tidwell of Emerald Coast Hospice explains how hospice and home health care services work, what types of services are provided, and when hospice or home health care services might be beneficial. The Navarre Library is located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services presents a monthly series on a variety of interesting topics with solutions for your life. They can provide information about agriculture, the environment, sustainable living, disaster preparation and recovery, 4-H youth development, family and consumer issues, and lawn and garden problems. This month’s topic is Vertebrate Pests. The Gulf Breeze Library is located at 1060 Shoreline Dr.

Looking for a way to reduce some stress, relax, and release your creativity? Join us for an hour of afternoon fun on the third Friday of every month at 4 p.m. Coloring is for the young and the young at heart.  This program is free and open to adults 18 and older. Advance registration is not required.  Supplies are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own. The Navarre Library is located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road.

Enjoy the elegant art of classical guitar with Jimmy Chandler and his students at the Navarre Library. Mr. Chandler is a local resident and classical guitar instructor with over 30 years of experience. He will host a series of gatherings to form a community for classical guitar enthusiasts and promote appreciation of the classical guitar. Music from all periods of history and countries will be presented and guest lecturers and performers will be included. The Navarre Library is located at 8484 James M. Harvell Road. in Navarre.

In conjunction with Military Appreciation Month, local author Walt “Monk” Reynolds will be visiting the Pace Library to discuss his book, Monk’s Journey. His book details a true story of a little boy growing up in rural Florida 75 years ago and of his endurance of poverty, abandonment and abuse until he finds a way out in the military service. The Pace Library is located at 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd.

Don’t miss out! Online registration begins May 31 for all children from preschool age to those who have completed the 5th grade. After registering, pick up a reading calendar at your library or print one from our website. Read for 15 minutes per day between June 1 and July 15 for great prizes! Minutes read by parents to preschoolers may be counted. Bring your completed reading log to your library’s last program or to your library through July 30 to claim your prizes.