Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

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!

Jax Stacks Book Recommendations: A Book Banned in the Last 10 Years

Welcome to a new month of the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge! We are going to give you suggestions for each* category in the challenge every month so that you always have a great library book waiting for you when you need it. Plus, you can share what you're reading with other Jax Stacks readers at our monthly Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Book Club. Note: Our October meeting takes place at the West Branch Library!

Adult Programs for October + Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Tips

It's October... which means you have just three months left to finish the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge. But don't worry. You've got this! There are three Lit Chats Interviews coming up soon. Besides the obvious ("A book by a 2023 Lit Chat author"), their books could fit a few different categories. Plus, there are thirteen Library Book Clubs meeting and discussing their recommendations this month! There's even a book club dedicated solely to recommending and discussing books that meet the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge categories. We also have a new community partner offering free workshops for budding entrepreneurs!

Lit Chat with Author and Journalist Mark Woods

Join the Lit Chat Interview with Mark Woods on Tuesday, October 10 at 6 p.m. live at the Mandarin Library or live online via Zoom. Books will be available to purchase on-site from San Marco Books and More or you can bring a copy purchased from your favorite bookseller. This Lit Chat Interview is sponsored by the Friends of the Mandarin Library.

Life Lit: Learn Ways to Compost and Increase Your Garden's Biodiversity

Looking for ways to increase biodiversity in your home garden? Want to create a pollinator habitat? Interested in composting or container gardening? Learn everything you need for a successful home garden from Master Gardeners and our friends at the UF Extension Office!

Join a Book Club this October

There's so much to fall in love with about this time of year! Whether it's spooky season, autumn festivals, candied and caramel apples, or the ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Latte (or Pumpkin Spice Iced Chia Latte): There's nothing quite like finding just the right book or a group of people to talk about it with! This October, join a Book Club! Not only will you get some great reading recommendations from fellow readers, but you might just bond with someone over a favorite fall treat (and maybe share a recipe or two).

Let Freedom Read: Banned Books Week Teen Art Contest

Let Freedom Read Teen Art Contest Entries due Sept 25. through Oct. 6

Feeling creative? Want to make an impact? Draw, paint, collage or create a square piece of art expressing your thoughts about censorship, book challenges, and the freedom to read. Join us at Teen Advisory Board or scan and email your entry to JPLYouthservices@coj.net September 25 - October 6.

Reflections on the Holocaust and the Impact Across Generations

Now at Your Library: Americans and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibition What did Americans Know? What More Could Have Been Done?

Jacksonville Public Library is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Please note: Because the Main Library will not be closing as usual at 6 p.m. on September 28 and October 12, Holocaust program attendees will have an extra 30 minutes to browse the exhibit or check out books from the Holocaust Collection between 6 - 6:30 p.m. However, the Library will close promptly at 8 p.m. So, there will be no time to browse the exhibit after the program.

Books to Read for Talk Like a Pirate Day

Shiver me timbers and batten down the hatches! September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you're looking for some inspiration, the Library has some great books about our favorite scallywags and seadogs. No need to raid Davey Jones' locker. The best part: these books won't cost you a single doubloon! So, check out a book, sing your favorite sea chantey, and "yo ho ho" the whole day long!