# Spring Forward Into Learning
From a Screening Room watching and discussing Great Unsung Women of Computing to a Lit Chat Interview with Jamie Ford, author of the New York Times bestselling novel The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the adult program lineup at the Library this March! This Spring Break also marks the return of Jax Pop Con, an all-ages pop culture and fandom event at the Main Library. This year, you'll get a chance to meet fantasy author and guest of honor, Django Wexler. Keep reading for more great programs and events!
Be the first to know about Lit Chat author events, writing workshops, and more!
# History & Genealogy
History Chat: Rethinking James Weldon Johnson at Home & Abroad
Many know James Weldon Johnson as an educator, lawyer and NAACP leader. He was also a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, a diplomat and civil rights leader who traveled beyond U.S. borders to build solidarity with other people of color and marginalized groups around the world. At home and abroad, Johnson fought against Jim Crow segregation, imperialism and other structures of oppression. This March, explore his impact on Jacksonville and the genealogy of Black transnational activism that has shaped the U.S.
Saturday, March 8, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Main Library (Ansbacher Map Room, Fourth Floor)
This program is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.
Guest speaker Dr. Felicia Bevel is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of North Florida. Her research and teaching interests include African American history, 20th-century U.S. history, cultural history, and childhood studies. Her work has been supported by the Ford Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the Florida Education Fund. She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from Brown University and a B.A. in Sociology (with a concentration in African American Studies) from Columbia University.
Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville: Civil War to Civil Rights (Free Concert)
Celebrate our nation's history as the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville performs music that help to mark our path towards civil rights. A not-for-profit volunteer classical music orchestra, their mission is to provide symphonic music for all. Conductor Dr. Marguerite Richardson has served as a full-time violinist in the Jacksonville Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Strings at Jacksonville University.
- Saturday, March 8, 4 - 5 p.m. | Conference Center at Main Library
- Sunday, March 9, 4 - 5 p.m. | Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville University
Repertoire includes:
- Aaron Copeland - "Lincoln Portrait"
- James W. Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson - "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
- Margaret Bonds - "Montgomery Variations" (selections)
- James P. Johnson - "Harlem Symphony"
Screening Room: Great Unsung Women of Computing
In the U.S., women are vastly underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) fields, holding under 25% of STEM jobs and a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees. Great Unsung Women in Computing is a series of three award-winning documentary films that show how women revolutionized the computing and Internet technology we use today which, in turn, has inspired female students to believe that programming careers lie within their grasp.
Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. | Main Library
The screening will be followed by a presentation and Q&A with Ania Wilson, an engineer and designer with a commitment to making STEM accessible to everyone. Wilson works to inspire students to pursue coding and technology-related fields. In 2024, she published her first book, C Plus Me: Byta Bot's C++ Kickstart Guide for middle grade students. Ania is an alumna of Florida A&M University with a degree in industrial engineering and computer science. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is active with the National Society of Black Engineers.
# Authors, Books & Writing
Authors Roundtable: Bridging Generations: Authors Craft Stories that Endure
Participants will explore stories that connect the experiences of different age groups, highlighting universal values and lessons. Participants will learn to write with intent to influence and inspire multiple generations, creating a ripple effect that endures over time. Presented by Authors Roundtable of Northeast Florida - a 501c3 that supports authors reaching their highest potential. All genres are welcome.
Saturday, March 1, at 10:15 a.m. | Main Library (Conference Level)
Book Clubs in March
Is your family bananas about books? Jacksonville's annual Celebrate Reading Week returns March 2-8, 2025, with appearances by local and nationally known authors, live children's entertainers, your favorite book characters, and much more! Get the full schedule and learn more about all of ways Jacksonville supports literacy and families on our Celebrate Reading Week blog. You might also consider joining one (or more) of our Library Book Clubs. It's a great way to meet people and get more book recommendations.
Lit Chat Interview with Jamie Ford
Jamie Ford is a Northwest author most widely known for his bestselling Seattle-based novels. His most recent novel, The Many Daughters of Afong Moy, was an instant New York Times bestseller and a Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick. His debut, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list, won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. An audience Q&A and book signing will follow the interview. Books will be available for sale on-site from a local bookstore partner.
Wednesday, March 12, from 2-4 p.m. | Southeast Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
Did you know that all of our Lit Chat authors' books count toward your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge completion? Find out what authors we're hosting and join in on the fun!
Writer's Lab: Learn Fantasy World Building with Author Django Wexler
Are you excited about Jax Pop Con Vol. 2? Our featured Lit Chat author and guest of honor, Django Wexler, is joining us a day early to present a free, hour-long workshop on fantasy world building. Wexler is the author of many fantasy novels, including How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Ashes of the Sun, and The Thousand Names. His next book, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me, is due out in May.
Friday, March 21, at 4:30 p.m. | Main Library (Lounge at 303 North)
Lit Chat Interview with Django Wexler
Django Wexler is the author of many fantasy novels, including How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Ashes of the Sun, and The Thousand Names. In his former life as a software engineer, he worked on AI research and programming languages. He currently lives near Seattle with his wife, daughter, many cats, and a teetering mountain of books. When not writing, he paints tiny soldiers and plays games of all sorts.
Saturday, March 22, at 4 p.m. | Main Library
Register for the FREE author talk!
An audience Q&A and book signing will follow the interview. Books will be available for sale on-site from Happy Medium Books Café. Please note: This program is part of Jax Pop Con Vol. 2. Join us for this free celebration of the books, comics, games, TV shows and movies we all love!
# Other Adult Programs
Life Lab: Improve Your Day-to-Day Life
Grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances! Life Lit is now Life LAB - a series of free workshops offered by trained professionals and volunteers, aimed at improving your life. They cover a wide range of topics from gardening to financial literacy to small business needs. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!
Upcoming Workshops:
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Things Parents Need to Know
- Monday, March 3 | 4 p.m. | Webb Wesconnett Library
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Unusual Perennial Greens That Can Take the Heat
- Monday, Mar. 3 | 6 p.m. | San Marco Branch
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Workforce Readiness and Personal Branding
- Monday, Mar. 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Bradham & Brooks Branch
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Terrariums
- Thursday, March 4 | 6 p.m. | Maxville Branch
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Propagation from Cuttings
- Tuesday, March 11 | 6 p.m. | Murray Hill Branch
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Lawn-Free and River-Friendly
- Saturday, March 15 | 3 p.m. | Maxville Branch
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Entrepreneurship: Elements of a Pitch
- Saturday, March 22 | 2 p.m. | Highlands Library
Search our events calendar for more workshops offered by our community partners at the Library.
