Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Are you interested in writing poetry, but don't know where to start? Have you started, but you don't know where to go from there?

Join Dr. Laura Minor, an award-winning poet and poetry educator, for a three-week workshop series on the basics of poetry. This series includes hands-on work in generating ideas and revising drafts, as well as a discussion of the process of submitting and publishing poetry.

What we do and where we do it can change from time to time. Library service doesn't always happen at the library and it certainly doesn't always occur inside the four walls of a building. Our job is about meeting, you, our customer, where you are. Sometimes, we have to take that show on the road! In the past, one of our more "novel" approaches to library service was our bookmobiles.

This Spring, Jacksonville Public Library will have had the unique pleasure of hosting “The 2021 Best of Elementary Art Show" and "The Best of Middle School Art Exhibit." These annual art shows are extra special this year, after having been cancelled by the pandemic last year. Not only that: students and teachers had to overcome a lot of obstacles in their art-making when COVID safety protocols changed how art was taught in the schools. The Elementary art show wraps up April 14 and the Middle School art exhibit starts April 17 and runs through May 9.

March 2020 brought new challenges to the meeting and event industry as COVID-19 brought everything to standstill. A year later, professionals in this industry have united – stronger and more determined than ever to demonstrate the value of meetings for local business, government, and yes, even libraries. By following local, state, and federal regulations; performing regular and deep cleaning regimens; rethinking layouts; encouraging social distancing; and continuing to meet and exceed customer expectations: Event hosts and conference center staff can offer in-person, hybrid, or virtual meetings and celebrations safely.