Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

Kids Financial Adventure with Kash Kids

Kids Financial Adventure: Join us at a Library Near You!

Imagine your kids, stronger, smarter and empowered economically to make all the right financial moves, all the right financial choices. We'll read books, play games and do fun hands-on activities. Kids will discover the importance of setting goals, making wise spending choices, savings and more. This captivating and educational four-week program is presented by Kash Kids. They believe that teaching your kids how to manage their money is one of the best ways for them to become financially independent adults.

Books to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. 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. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us today!

Join Us in Thanking Our Friends of the Library

Graphic for Happy Friends of the Library Appreciation Week, October 15 through 21, 2023.

At several Jacksonville Public Library locations, there are dedicated volunteers working long hours to raise money through book sales, engage in advocacy, and plan pro-literacy events – all for the betterment of the Library and community. We call these volunteers and the groups they are a part of "Friends of the Library."

Books to Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and civil rights movements. It is celebrated in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights.

Lit Chat with LGBTQ+ Historical Romance Author Cat Sebastian

Before writing, Cat Sebastian was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs. But she liked those jobs much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. Her latest book, We Could Be So Good has been described as "Casey McQuinston meets The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo." And if you like that, she's got over a dozen other queer historical romance novels and glowing reviews from bestselling authors like Julia Quinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series. The best part? You can also meet her live and in person, right here in Jacksonville!

October Art Walk and Duval Art Downtown: An Exhibition for Educators

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! We are conveniently located directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, one of Art Walk's two major hubs of activity. Not only that, there is usually local art on display, zinesters meeting and collaborating on the first floor, tabletop gamers doing one-shot adventures, and special drop-in activities going on in the Teen Room. Don't forget to pick up a Map & Guide to the Main Library on your way in! You'll find murals and other public art, a huge vintage map collection, and more!

Fall Into Savings at the Friends of Bradham & Brooks Library Book Sale

Graphic for Friends of the Bradham and Brooks Library book sale on October 13 and 14, 2023 from 10 am to 3 pm

Find your next great read at the Friends of the Bradham & Brooks Library's book sale! Both days of the sale are open to all, but membership is encouraged and appreciated. You can join at the door for $15. Proceeds from sales and memberships are used to enhance programs and services at the Bradham & Brooks Library.

The sale will include gently used adult fiction, nonfiction, children and young adult titles, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks.

Resisting Hate, Repairing the World Panel Discussion

Americans and the Holocaust September 6 - October 12

Join us for Resisting Hate, Repairing the World -- a panel discussion and open dialogue that focuses on the impact acts of hate have on the individuals and communities being targeted, whether Jewish, Black, LGBTQ+, or others, and how we, as a larger community, can work together to provide mutual support. This program was made in partnership with LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) and will be moderated by Hope McMath, Curator of the JFCS's Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery.

Celebrate the Freedom to Read with the Library

Banned Books Week (October 1-7, 2023) is an annual event highlighting the value of free and open access to information that brings together the entire book community -- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types. Want to celebrate the freedom to read and support your local library? Check out books on topics that are frequently targeted for censorship that have been on your TBR (to be read) list. It's a simple act - that could result in you finding your new favorite book or author - that shows unequivocally that our community is interested in reading these books.

Writer's Lab: Getting Into Your Characters' Heads and Readers' Hearts

Writer's Lab with Karen Chow: It's All About Character

There's no question that characters drive a story. In this writing workshop, author Karen Chow will guide writers to develop interesting characters, create active goals for them, and get into their heads, so readers will want to know more. Bring your writing tools because we will be writing!