Jacksonville Public Library Blog

February Art Walk: Early Preview of NE Florida Scholastic Art Awards

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent with us on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library stays open until 9 p.m. for the festivities! We are conveniently located directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, one of Art Walk's two major hubs of activity. Not only that, there is usually local art on display, zinesters meeting and collaborating on the first floor, tabletop gamers doing one-shot adventures, and special drop-in activities going on in the Teen Room.

History Chat: The Life of Captain James W. Floyd with Jerry Urso

History Chat: The Life of James W. Floyd with Jerry Urso

Saturday, February 10, at 2:30 p.m., learn about the exciting life of Captain James W. Floyd with Jerry Urso, live on the fourth floor of the Main Library (Ansbacher Map Room). Urso is the Grand Historian of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida. His subject, Captain James W. Floyd, was a celebrated (and decorated) hero of the Spanish-American War, a business owner, and a civil rights activist from Jacksonville who met with President Warren G Harding.

A Place for All People: African American History Exhibit

Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the Friends of the Brentwood Public Library, Inc. in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “A Place for All People” highlights key artifacts that tell the rich and diverse story of the African American experience. The exhibit runs through Black History Month at the Brentwood Branch Library with a Grand Opening Reception on Thursday, February 1 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Never Stop Learning: Adult Programs at the Library this February

Need for a new romance book to spice up those cold winter nights? Looking for some fun Galentine's Day ideas for you and your besties? We've got a Lit Chat Interview with two local romance authors and a romance-themed Writer's Lab workshop for anyone planning to put their own pen to paper. February is also Black History Month and we've got some great ideas for celebrating that, too! Jerry Urso returns for another History Chat - this one about the exciting life of Captain James W. Floyd. We'll also delve into poetry, true crime, gardening, business, finance, and more!

Celebrate Literacy Week: Building Resiliency Through Reading

Believe in Your Shelf. Images featured a child sitting on top of a stack of books, reading.

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines. This year, the Florida Department of Education has scheduled the celebration for the week of January 22–26. The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is "Believe In Your Shelf – Building Resiliency Through Reading!"

Love Your Library! Join a Book Club in February

Library Lovers' Day is celebrated on February 14 each year to honor libraries, librarians, book lovers, and anyone who loves libraries. If you're reading this, chances are you love your Library, too!

One of the best things about libraries is - they are a great place to find your community. When it comes to books you're interested in... who better to talk to than friendly, local folks who like the same genres, authors and characters?! If you'd like to meet some fellow bookworms and get some great reading recommendations while you're at it, consider joining a Library Book Club and/or the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge this month!

February Life Lit: Grow Your Business or a Garden with FREE Workshops

Life Lit are free workshops offered by trained professionals and volunteers that focus on improving your day-to-day life. These programs cover a wide range of workshops from gardening to small business needs. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!

Build Your Small Business or Side Hustle in 2024

Nearly a quarter of US consumers (23%) are considering starting a new business in 2024, according to findings from the Entrepreneurship in 2024 Report commissioned by Intuit QuickBooks in December 2023. Over 4,500 respondents on a survey say business ownership is a better way to build personal wealth in 2024 than buying a home. If you are one of the 23% of consumers starting a business or if you already have a business and are working on improvements, the Library can help!

Books and More at the Mandarin Friends January Book Sale

Graphic for Friends of the Mandarin Library Book Sale.

If your New Year's resolution is to read more or you are aiming to complete our Jax Stacks 2024 Reading Challenge, visit the Friends of the Mandarin Library's used book sale on January 26 and 27 to find your next favorite author. Both days of the sale are open to all, but membership is encouraged and appreciated. You can join at the door for $10. Proceeds from sales and memberships are used to enhance programs and services at the Mandarin Library. The sale will include gently used adult fiction, nonfiction, children and young adult titles, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and more.

Celebrating Winnie-the-Pooh on the Author's Birthday

Did you know Winnie-the-Pooh from the Hundred Acre Wood was inspired by a real-life black bear who lived at the London Zoo during World War I? The book's author, A. A. Milne, even had a son named Christopher Robin! National Winnie the Pooh Day commemorates author A. A. Milne's birthday on January 18, 1882. So, grab some honey, and your favorite Pooh Bear book, and join us in celebrating this "silly old bear" and the author who originally brought him and his pals to life.