Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The 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! Between September 15 and October 15, we are highlighting books in our collection by and about people in the Hispanic and Latine/Latinx communities.

Junior Lit Chat: Meet Author and Illustrator Dan Santat at Jax Book Fest

Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of over a hundred books for young people including the New York Times–bestselling book After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again). Though he's probably best known for The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, the magical story of a would-be imaginary friend who sets off on a journey looking for the child he's destined to befriend!

Lit Chat Interview with Horror Author Joe Hill at Jax Book Fest

It's almost September, which means -- it's practically Halloween. We're also just weeks away from the return of Jax Book Fest at the Main Library! This year, our headliner is none other than Joe Hill! Many will know him from his many spine-tingling, bone-chilling horror novels like NOS4A2 (or the AMC series of the same name) or the big-screen adaptations of his work. Comic fans know him as the co-creator of the Eisner Award-winning series Locke & Key (now streaming on Netflix). Whatever you know him from... nothing beats getting to pick his brain, in person, at your local library!

Teen Lit Chat with Angeline Boulley - Author of Firekeeper's Daughter

Teen Lit Chat Interview with Angeline Boulley

You probably already know and love Firekeeper's Daughter - the "Indigenous Nancy Drew thriller" novel that set the world (and BookTok) ablaze. Not only was it a Reese's Book Club YA Pick and a TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time Selection... It's getting adapted for TV at Netflix! But did you know Angeline Boulley has a new, bestselling follow-up to her breakaway debut hit? Join us for a trhilling Teen Lit Chat interview with Angeline Boulley on Saturday, September 23 during Jax Book Fest!

Free Writing and Publishing Workshops at Jax Book Fest 2023

Are you an aspiring author? Have you ever wanted to see your own book on the library's shelves? Join us Friday, September 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Main Library for FREE writing and publishing workshops, networking with local authors, and more!

We Are Open for Exhibits: September Art Walk at the Main Library

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. Join us on Wednesday, September 6 from 6-8 p.m. (during Art Walk) for an Opening Reception at the Main Library! Enjoy light refreshments and music and get information about upcoming events.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month

In conjunction with the American Library Association, Mayor Donna Deegan and Jacksonville's City Council have proclaimed September Library Card Sign-Up Month (see legislation below)! The Mayor and City Council know how valuable library cards are and want everyone to encourage their friends and neighbors without cards to get one so they can enjoy the world of access Jacksonville Public Library provides.

Jax Stacks Book Recommendations: A book with a non-human protagonist

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 September meeting takes place at the Southeast Regional Library!

Lit Chat with Up-And-Coming Local Author Sohrab Homi Fracis

Lit chat interview with Sohrab Homi Fracis

The big names headlining Jax Book Fest were all little names, once, which is why we’re always delighted to spotlight our local up-and-coming authors! Newly award-winning author Sohrab Homi Fracis kicks off our Book Fest week with an interview about his latest book and what it means to be a writer today.

Adult Programs for September: A Traveling Exhibit and Jax Book Fest

It's September, which means we're that much closer to Halloween... and the return of Jax Book Fest to the Main Library! This year, our headliner is none other than Joe Hill, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Horns, Heart-Shaped Box, and The Fireman. Hill is also the co-creator of the Eisner Award-winning series Locke & Key, now streaming on Netflix!

Not a horror fan? There will be DOZENS of local authors at the Main Library on Saturday, September 23. So, you're bound to find something to add to your TBR pile. We also have Life Lit workshops with fall gardening tips, book clubs to join, and a ton of writing and publishing workshops!