# February is for Library Lovers
Need for a new romance book to spice up those cold winter nights? Looking for some fun Galentine's Day ideas for you and your besties? We've got a Lit Chat Interview with two local romance authors and a romance-themed Writer's Lab workshop for anyone planning to put their own pen to paper. February is also Black History Month and we've got some great ideas for celebrating that, too! Jerry Urso returns for another History Chat - this one about the exciting life of Captain James W. Floyd.
We'll also delve into poetry, true crime, gardening, business, finance, and more!
Be the first to know about upcoming Lit Chat author events, Writer's Lab workshops, and more!
# Lit Chat Interview with Jeffrey Blount
Meet the author of The Emancipation of Evan Walls and the forthcoming Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way on Wednesday, January 31 from 7-8 p.m., live at the Pablo Creek Regional Library. Can't make it in person? The interview will also be live-streamed via Zoom. An audience Q&A will follow the interview.
Stay after the program for a book signing, with books available for sale on-site from The Bookmark.
# A Place for All People: Smithsonian Poster Exhibit
From the child-size shackles of a slave and the clothing worn by Carolotta Walls on her first day at Little Rock Central High School to Chuck Berry’s Gibson guitar, “Maybellene,” and the track shoes worn by Olympian Carl Lewis, the exhibition presents a living history that reflects challenge, triumph, faith, and hope.
Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Friends of the Brentwood Public Library, Inc. in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “A Place for All People” highlights key artifacts that tell the rich and diverse story of the African American experience.
The exhibit runs through Black History Month at the Brentwood Branch Library.
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Grand Opening and Reception
- Thursday, February 1, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
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124th Anniversary of Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing: A Place for All People Symposium
- Saturday, February 24, at 12:30 p.m.
"The poster exhibition and related public programs are an opportunity for The Friends of the Brentwood Public Library to showcase its work in sharing the many stories of African American and African diaspora people and their contributions to the local community and the American story," said Sharon Coon, founder, chair and longtime Friends of the Brentwood Public Library member.
# Great Decisions: US-China Trade Rivalry
Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Each meeting begins with a 30-minute film on the discussion topic followed by a facilitator-led discussion. Our first program of 2024 concerns China’s economic rise and how its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. Dr. Will Miller from Embry-Riddle leads the discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., at Pablo Creek Library.
# History Chat with Jerry Urso
Saturday, February 10, at 2:30 p.m., learn about the exciting life of Captain James W. Floyd with Jerry Urso, live on the fourth floor of the Main Library (Ansbacher Map Room). Urso is the Grand Historian of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida. His subject, Captain James W. Floyd, was a celebrated (and decorated) hero of the Spanish-American War, a business owner, and a civil rights activist from Jacksonville who met with President Warren G Harding.
Register for the History Chat!
# Lit Chat Interview with Emily Rath
Tuesday, February 13, at 7 p.m.: Meet Emily Rath, live at the Southeast Library and live via Zoom. This TikTok superstar joins us for a Galentine’s Day chat with local novelist Jessica Hatch! They will talk about all things romance, Emily's popular Jacksonville Rays (hockey) romance series, and what it's like to be BookTok famous. Rath is an internationally bestselling author whose chart-topping, sex-positive, queer-inclusive fantasy and romance novels include the Second Sons Regency romances and the Tuonella Duet fantasy novel.
A book signing will follow the program, with books available for sale on-site.
# Lit Chat Interview with Michelle Lizet Flores
Saturday, February 24, 2 p.m.: Get to know local poet and author Michelle Lizet Flores, live at the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library or live via Zoom. She is the author of Cuentos from the Swamp and Carlito the Bat Learns to Trick-or-Treat. Her short fiction is also in the anthology, Places We Build in the Universe.
Her latest book, Invasive Species, will be published in February. She will be in conversation with local poet and Lit Chat alum, Jessica Q. Stark.
Sponsored by the Friends of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library. A book signing will follow the program, with books available for sale on-site.
# Lit Chat Interview with McCracken Poston, Jr.
Tuesday, February 27, 7 p.m.: Join us for a Lit Chat Interview with McCracken Poston, Jr., online via Zoom. "In October 1997, the town of Ringgold in northwest Georgia was shaken by reports of a murder in its midst. A dead woman was found in Alvin Ridley's house - and even more shockingly, she was the wife no one knew he had." A Georgia attorney-turned-writer, Poston's upcoming book, Zenith Man: Death, Love and Redemption in a Georgia Courtroom, tells the story behind one of his most famous defense cases.
# Writer's Lab Workshop: Authors Roundtable
Creative Nonfiction - Saturday, February 3 at 10:15 a.m.
Instructor Anna Jacobson will talk about what creative nonfiction is and all of the things you can do with it. The group will also explore different approaches to creative nonfiction in storytelling and help you apply tips to stay true to the form. Authors Roundtable is a local 501C3 that supports authors in reaching their highest potential.
Meeting on the first Saturday of every month at the Main Library, authors participate in educational forums, workshops, classes, and events. Check out what they have in store for March!
# Writer's Lab Workshop: Not Your Mama's Romance Novels
Saturday, February 17, 10:30 a.m.: Not Your Mama's Romance Novels with Jessica Hatch, at the Pablo Creek Library. Novelist Jessica Hatch will show you how to use (and subvert) the genre's most popular tropes, decide between "closed door" or spicier love scenes, get your Nora Ephron on by infusing humor into your romance, and write in a way that is authentically you - while still appealing to the market. Hatch is the author of two contemporary romance novels: My Big Fake Wedding and How to Keep a Husband for 10 Days.
# Screening Room: Just Another Bombing?
Released in 2024 by Hal Jacobs, Just Another Bombing?: This is Donal and Iona's Story takes audiences on a poignant journey through a little-known incident of the 1960s Civil Rights era. Iona Godfrey King and her son Donal Godfrey share their deeply moving account of surviving the Klan bombing of their home with three other family members on February 16, 1964, in Jacksonville, Fla. Watch and discuss Thursday, February 22, from 4 - 5:30 p.m. at Murray Hill Branch Library.
Note: After the screening, guest speakers Donal Godfrey, Hal Jacobs, and Iona Godfrey King will talk about the film. This program is presented by the Friends of the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library.
# Life Lit FREE Workshops
Life Lit are free workshops offered by trained professionals and volunteers that focus on improving your day-to-day life. These programs cover a wide range of workshops from gardening to small business needs. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!
Business & Money Matters:
- Financial Literacy with EY - Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m., at University Park Library
- Starting & Growing a Small Business with Ty Grady - Thursday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. at Southeast
- One-Page Marketing Plan for Small Business with SBDC - Thursday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. at Main
DIY Gardening:
- Companion Planting for Vegetable Gardens - Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., at San Marco
- Yard Invaders with Master Gardner Amy Franqui - Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., at Beaches
- Pollinators with UF/IFAS - Monday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m., at Argyle Library
Blue Zones Project Jacksonville:
- Blue Zones 4-Week Challenge Week 2 - Tuesday, January 23, at 6 p.m. at Bradham and Brooks
- Blue Zones 4-Week Challenge Week 3 - Tuesday, January 30, at 6 p.m. at Bradham and Brooks
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Blue Zones 4-Week Challenge Week 4 - Tuesday, February 6, at 6 p.m., at Bradham and Brooks
- (Please note: This is the fourth and final meeting of a four-part series that began in January)
# Citizenship Classes - Next Course Starting Soon!
Get prepared for the U.S. Naturalization Test and Interview with the Library's FREE, Nine-Week Citizenship Class! Our experienced instructors will help you prepare for both the written and interview portions of the test. Topics include: U.S. history, civics, and the naturalization process. The next course starts on Friday, February 2 (through April 5). The class meets every Friday from 10 a.m. - noon, live on Zoom. To apply, please complete the Interest Form/Waitlist on our website.
This information will remain confidential and is not shared with anyone. If you prefer, you can also call the Library’s Center for Adult Learning at (904) 255-6135 to speak directly with a staff member.
# Library Book Clubs Meetings in February
Library Lovers' Day is celebrated on February 14 each year to honor libraries, librarians, book lovers, and anyone who loves libraries. One of the best things about libraries is - they are a great place to find your community. When it comes to books you're interested in... who better to talk to than friendly, local folks who like the same genres, authors and characters?! Find fellow bookworms and get some great reading recommendations by joining a Library Book Club this month.
Join a Library Book Club in February!
# Jax Stacks Adult Reading Challenge + Virtual Book Club
We've got a fresh new set of 16 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge categories for 2024! While many of the categories are designed to broaden your reading horizons and get you to try something new, others are going to match up with books you're probably planning to read anyway. Either way, you'll have fun and read some great books! To make it easy, we've printed up Jax Stacks Bookmarks to help you keep track of the categories you've crossed off. Pick one up at your local library.
We will discuss "A book published the year you were born" live on Zoom Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Join the Challenge! Register for the Book Club!
