"Mapping Our Past" at the Main Library
History is full of lines being drawn and crossed. Over time, new conflicts and new cities emerge... even as others fade into memory. Maps, meanwhile, continue to tell their stories. See the dramatic changes that have occurred in Florida over the past 500 years, with the help of a stunning map collection and two guest lecturers on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Main Library.
Event Schedule:
- 10 a.m.: Uncharted Territory: Rediscovering Southwest Florida through Map Digitization
- 11:30 a.m.: Charting the Land of Flowers - 500 Years of Florida Maps
Mapping Our Past is made possible through the generosity of the Lewis and Sybil Ansbacher Family Foundation and the Jordan and Shirley Ansbacher Family Foundation. If you are interested in world history, politics, and how it affects you, you may also want to check out our next "History Chat" or the return of the "Great Decisions" world affairs discussion program.
Read more below or find programs for adults on our events calendar.
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Writer's Lab: Write a Vivid Scene with Striking Sensory Details
Crafting a vivid scene is essential for any fiction writing. This workshop aims to help writers sharpen this powerful tool in their toolboxes. Participants will explore examples of scenes that have engaged and captivated generations of readers, practice these skills in their own writing, and share their examples with the group. Catherine Wu's debut novel, The Moon Goddess’s Smile, was praised by Kirkus Reviews for its "striking sensory quality." She lives with her husband here in Jacksonville.
Elevate your prose to the next level at 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Main Library.
History Chat: WWII Plane Crash in Riverside
Hear the story of two 2nd Lieutenants who met their untimely deaths in Riverside. Disobeying orders, the pair flew 180 miles off course to buzz the childhood home of one of the pilots, crashing near the corner of Post and King Streets. History enthusiast and former teacher Bob Scallan serves on the boards of the Orange Park Historical Society and the Clay County Historical Society. He loves putting the pieces together to reveal hidden history, compiling the story, and sharing it with the community.
Uncover the hidden history from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, at Willow Branch Library.
Register now (seating is limited)
Find Out What Book Clubs Are Reading this January
New year, new book club? If you've been thinking about joining a Library Book Club, there's no better time! A new Jax Stacks Reading Challenge is starting January 1 and one of the 16 challenge categories is "A book read by a Library Book Club in 2026." Not only that, these book clubs often read and discuss books that satisfy other challenge categories.
There are 16 book clubs to choose from, including one that meets live on Zoom.
Writer's Lab: Generative Revision
Either the draft feels so perfect you’re afraid to touch it, or you’re afraid to look more closely and discover there’s plenty of work to do. Whichever category applies to you, join us for an energizing and productive revision session with literary artist and educator Fati D. Ashley. She is the Editor-in-Chief for The Banyan Review and is a 2023 Best of the Net nominee. She holds a Master of English (Rhetoric and Composition) from the University of North Florida. She facilitates writing workshops for prose and poetry, and offers a range of one-on-one editorial services. Note: This workshop focuses on prose.
Bring your notebook and open mind from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, at Dallas Graham Branch.
The Great Decisions: A World Affairs Discussion Program (Series)
The Foreign Policy Association—a non-partisan not-for-profit—created Great Decisions to serve as a catalyst for developing an awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Today, it is the country's largest world affairs discussion program taking place in libraries, schools, and community centers across the United States. Each program includes a 25-minute video, followed by a discussion, facilitated by local subject-matter expert.
The series kicks off in January and continues through March.
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U.S.-China Relations
- with Richard Eason, Retired Foreign Services Officer
- 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, at Pablo Creek Regional
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The Future of Human Rights and International Law
- with Professor Darby Scott, Florida State University
- 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, live on Zoom
Want to see or sign up for all eight topics? Bookmark this page on our events calendar.
Lit Chat Interview with Award-Winning Author Nikesha Elise Williams
Meet Nikesha Elise Williams at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Main Library as she kicks off her multi-state book tour. A two-time Emmy Award–winning producer and an award-winning author, she is producer and host of the "Black and Published" podcast. A narrative strategist by day and journalist always, Nikesha's work has also appeared in The Washington Post, Essence, and Vox. She is a Kimbilio Fiction Fellow and a DeGroot Foundation Writer of Note grantee. Her latest novel, The Seven Daughters of Dupree, weaves together themes of generational trauma, Black women's resilience, and unbreakable familial bonds.
Note: The program includes a 40-minute interview and 20 minutes of audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. Hailed as "transcendent" by author Elizabeth Gilbert, The Seven Daughters of Dupree is officially set to release on January 27 from Simon & Schuster but a limited number of copies will be available to purchase (early) at the Lit Chat event from our partners at San Marco Books & More. To guarantee your copy, pre-order from the bookstore's website.
Lit Chat Interview with Bestselling Author Mona Awad
Mona Awad is the bestselling author of the novels Rouge, All’s Well, Bunny, and 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl. Margaret Atwood named Awad her “literary heir” in The New York Times’s T Magazine. She was also a three-time finalist for a Goodreads Choice Award, the recipient of an Amazon Best First Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Her horror-tinted, gothic fairy tale Rouge is being adapted for film by Fremantle and Sinestra. Bunny was a finalist for a New England Book Award and was named a Best Book of 2019 by Time, Vogue, and the New York Public Library. It is currently being developed for film with Bad Robot Productions. Her latest, We Love You, Bunny, is another dazzlingly original and darkly hilarious romp in the Bunny-verse.
Meet Mona Awad from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Main Library. The 40-minute interview will be followed by 20 minutes of audience Q&A and a book signing. Copies of her bestsellers will be available for sale on site from Happy Medium Books Café.
Grab your ticket (seating is limited)
Life Lab: Improve Your Day-to-Day Life
Life Lab is 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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Mulch with UF IFAS Extension Office
- 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Webb Wesconnett Library
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Vegetable Gardening (series) with UF IFAS Extension Office
- starting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, at Westbrook Branch Library
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Series topic schedule:
- January 12 - Starting Vegetable Seeds for Spring
- March 9 - Vegetable Gardening on a Budget
- May 11 - Seed Saving for Future Crops
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Stronger Trees, Stronger Communities with UF IFAS Extension Office
- 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, at Southeast Library
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Wintering Wildlife with UF IFAS Extension Office
- 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Murray Hill Branch Library
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Recycle Yard Waste with UF IFAS Extension Office
- 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at San Marco Branch Library
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Invasives with UF IFAS Extension Office
- 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at University Park Branch Library
Search our events calendar for more workshops offered by our community partners at the Library.
