# San Marco Memories Project
Jacksonville Public Library is commemorating the 75th anniversary of San Marco Branch Library with a Call for Memories and a series of public programs focused on the past, present and future of the neighborhood. This year-long celebration of the San Marco community, its residents and their library officially kicks off this January! But you can donate your family's photos and contributing your library stories to the San Marco Memories project any time!
History Chat: The Beginnings of a Bioswale with Jimmy Orth
Learn how and why the San Marco Library bioswale was installed, the challenges confronted along the way, and why these type of green infrastructure projects are beneficial for our river and our communities. A native of Jacksonville, Jimmy Orth has extensive experience working on environmental issues in Northeast Florida for nearly 35 years. He previously served for over eight years as an executive committee member and as chairman for the Northeast Florida group of the Sierra Club and founded a local chapter of Inner City Outings, a program that provided outdoor experiences for urban youth. He was hired as the Executive Director of St. Johns Riverkeeper in February of 2004.
Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m. | Balis Community Center (next to San Marco Branch Library)
St. Johns Riverkeeper and numerous partners collaborated to install the City of Jacksonville’s first bioswale along Lasalle Street in front of the San Marco Library in 2012. A bioswale collects stormwater runoff from roads, rooftops, and parking lots and uses soil and plants to remove pollution before the water reaches the St. Johns River.
Other Public Programs
The celebration kicked off Saturday, January 11, with Kelsi Hasden and three panelists discussing the past, present and future of San Marco. You may know Hasden as a copywriter/editor for TheJaxsonMag.org and WJCT. She was joined by Dorothy K. Fletcher, a local author who writes about Jacksonville history; Robin Robinson, chair of the San Marco Preservation Society committee for Historic Resources; and Tracy Thompson of the San Marco Merchants Association.
After the discussion and some audience Q&A, Library Director Tim Rogers read a Proclamation from the City, which officially marked January 2025 as the start of the 75th anniversary year. After the program, everyone enjoyed cake and other goodies, sponsored by the Library Foundation of Jacksonville and Crumbl, a member of the San Marco Merchants Association. Immediately afterwards, an Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration started inside the San Marco Branch Library, where folks looked at pictures from the Library's past, played games, earned prizes, and more.
Stay tuned for more special programs and events, happening throughout 2025.
Call for Memories
Do you remember visiting the library as a child? Or did you find your family's connection to the Library through your children's love of books? Have you found friends and fellow book fans through a library book club? Or do you still remember that one librarian that recommended the perfect book for you or your little one? We want to read your stories!
The next time you stop by the Library, pick up a card from the Call for Memories display and write your fondest memory, favorite book or a funny story!
Call for Photos
San Marco and its library has changed a lot over the years. Has your family lived here for generations? Or are you newer resident, hoping to learn more about your new home? Did you watch the construction of the Balis Park gazebo back in the 1980s or get married at Preservation Hall?
If you have photos of library or community history to share... keep reading!
Neighborhood Photo Project
Help us tell San Marco's story through the Neighborhood Photo Project. We’re looking for your photos of historic buildings, churches, parks, landmarks, parades, ceremonies, and other places, people, and events important to Jacksonville's rich history.
Donate in person at the San Marco Branch Library or email digital copies to SpecColl@coj.net.
Photographs should:
- Be your personal property, without depiction of any protected material
- Be sensitive to the privacy concerns of others
- Not promote products or services
Explore the San Marco Collection!
Note: All donations are handled in accordance with the Library’s Donation Policy.
Don't miss the San Marco Memories Exhibit in the glass case display at the San Marco Branch Library. If you'd like to contribute photos, newspaper clippings, old brochures and other items relevant to library or local history: Please bring them by!
The display will be up all year and we definitely want it to keep growing!
Want to keep to your originals? We can help you scan and then digitally donate the items. Keep reading to learn more about our DIY digitization stations in the Memory Lab at the Main Library.
Digitize Old Film Reels, VHS and More!
Thanks to a generous donation from a Jacksonville native, Ralph Parks, we can get a brief glimpse of San Marco back in the 1940s! The footage was shot by Ralph’s father, James M. Parks, and even includes a view of the family business! Donations such as this can be added to our Neighborhood Photo Project and become valuable community resources.
Some of the businesses featured in the clip:
- Southside Motors: 1524 San Marco Blvd. Proprietor: James M. Parks
- San Marco Theatre: 1996 San Marco Blvd. Manager: Mrs. Mabel B. Conrad
- Bowling Center of South Jacksonville: 2021 San Marco Blvd. Manager: George H. Sutton
- S.H. Kress & Company: 2002 San Marco Blvd. Owners: Samuel Kress and the Kress Foundation
Preserve Your Family Memories
Do you have old photographs in storage or home movies on VHS, 8mm, 16mm, or Super8 film that you haven't seen in years? Transfer them to a digital format that you can store and share online! Before you know it, they'll be ready for YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or wherever you connect with family and friends. Once digitized, you can also donate your photos to the Neighborhood Photo Project or the San Marco Memories display. To contribute, speak with Special Collections staff at the Main Library or email digital copies to SpecColl@coj.net.
Walk in or book your DIY digitization station in advance.
Unlike other, often very expensive out-of-state digitization services, you don't have to worry about sending anything through the mail. The equipment you need is right here at the Main Library. It's free for public use and open six days a week! All you need is a Jacksonville Public Library card.
Please note: If you're visiting on Saturday or just want to make sure a particular station or piece of equipment is available for you to use when you arrive, please call (904) 255-BOOK or book online.
Yearbook Collection
Explore a growing physical and digital archive of yearbooks - dating as far back as 1907 - dedicated to representing every high school in Duval County. The collection currently includes Landon High School, Duval High School, Andrew Jackson High School, Riverside (formerly Robert E. Lee) High School, Terry Parker High School, Paxon High School, and Stanton High School.
Don’t see yourself or your classmates in our collection?
Leave your legacy on the shelf!
Donate your yearbooks at any Jacksonville Public Library or call (904) 255-BOOK. We collect yearbooks from all Duval County schools (public and private) as well as area colleges and universities.
#A Brief History of Your Library
75 Years of Service to the San Marco Community
San Marco Branch Library originally opened its doors to residents as the Southside Branch Library on January 3, 1950, following the annexation of South Jacksonville in the 1930s. Since then, the branch library has changed its name to reflect its important position in the San Marco neighborhood and to help new citizens find their way to their local library.
A $1.8 million library renovation project, funded by the Better Jacksonville Plan, began in 2000. At that time, the former 7450-square-foot library expanded in size to 11,400 square feet. The renovation also included the addition of the new Balis Community Center, bringing the size of the new building to 19,000 square feet.
#A Community Archive, Open to All
Want to know more about the history of San Marco? That's why the Special Collections department exists. Whether you're exploring old city maps and directories, researching the history of your home, or even tracing your family roots: You, your story, and your questions are always welcome.
Special Collections is located on the Fourth Floor of the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville and is open to the public during library hours. Appointments are not required but you can call ahead or book online if you need a research guide or department tour.
