Calling all VPK through Fifth Grade families! You're invited to the first New Worlds Reading Book Bash on Friday, May 10, from 4:30 - 7 p.m. here at the Main Library! This fun-filled, family-friendly event will include appearances by Clifford the Big Red Dog, an author read-aloud, raffles, and more! Plus, kids can pick up FREE books and food (while supplies last)!
Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent with us on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library stays open until 9 p.m. for the festivities! This month, explore the Main Library's murals and permanent art collection on a free, docent-led art tour. Come up to the fourth floor for a Wayback Wednesday Open House in the Memory Lab. We also have The Best of Middle School Art Exhibit, Zinester Meetup, and Drop-In Board Games on the first floor!
You might not have known it but if you’ve ever been to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville, you were in the same building as one of Jacksonville Public Library’s most unique features: the Zine Collection. This collection was started in 2009 by the first Jacksonville Public Library Zine Committee, composed of Andrew Coulon, Josh Jubinsky, Matthew Moyer, and Jessica Whittington. In the years since, the collection has grown to include over 2,000 zines from authors all over the country, from Jacksonville to Portland!
April 22 is Earth Day! Started in 1970, the day is often celebrated via organized volunteer events with the health of our planet or our local natural resources in mind. Some folks celebrate by volunteering at a beach or river cleanup or by picking up trash in a park. Are you new to volunteering or activism? Whether you're looking for inspiration, role models, or just a place to start giving back and making a difference: the Library has you covered!
Are you looking for ways to showcase your amazing books and connect with the community? We are excited to announce our Summer Reading Kick-Off on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. This is an incredible opportunity to partner with Jacksonville Public Library, support Mayor Deegan's River City Readers citywide literacy challenge, and sell your children's books to the families in attendance.
This April, Jacksonville Public Library is highlighting the life and poetry of Alan Justiss (1943-2011), a celebrated Jacksonville poet whose works have recently been acquired by our Special Collections department. This panel discussion will be moderated by artist and educator, Nestor Gil. They'll talk about Justiss’ life and legacy, read selections of his poetry, and a preview of an upcoming documentary. An audience Q&A will follow the presentation.
Join the Friends of the Murray Hill Library for a book sale on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sale is open from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for members and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all. You can join in advance at the Friends' website or at the door for as little as $5. Proceeds from the sale and memberships are used to help support and expand programs and services at the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library.
Wear your best cape and cowl (or that really cool bow tie and fez) and join us for a celebration of reading and fandom culture! Our annual Beaches Library Comic Fest returns Saturday, May 4, from 1 – 4 p.m. (Free Comic Book Day). This FAN-tastic event is sponsored by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library and features some of your favorite local cosplayers, gamers, and comic creators from the Beaches community and beyond.
The Friends of the Beaches Branch Library invite you to stock up on your favorite authors and discover new ones at their spring book sale on April 16-20, 2024. The sale will include gently used adult fiction and nonfiction titles, books for children and young adults, DVDs, CDs and more! Proceeds from sales and memberships are used to enhance programs and services at the Beaches Branch Library.
Every April, we are encouraged to celebrate the Arab American community’s rich heritage, history, and hopes as well as their many contributions to our country. Jacksonville Public Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. Throughout the month, the Library will highlight books in our collection by and about Arab Americans including here on our blog, through book displays in your local library, and via reading challenges for all ages on Beanstack.
