Jacksonville Public Library Blog

How to Find and Apply for Small Business Grants

While May is Small Business Month, November is pretty BIG for small businesses, too. First, there's Small Business Saturday on November 30 and this year marks the 15th anniversary! It's a great way for your customers and community to show their support - and get a much needed financial injection at the end of the year. This year's theme is: "One Day Makes a Difference." What else could you do this month to make a difference in your small business?

Friends of Murray Hill Library Used Book Sale November 16

Join the Friends of the Murray Hill Library for a book sale on Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale is open from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for members and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all. You can join in advance at the Friends' website or at the door for as little as $5. Proceeds from the sale and memberships are used to help support and expand programs and services at the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library.

History Chat: The Case for Grand Master David Daniel Powell

This November, discover the enduring impact of David Daniel Powell, a prominent yet overlooked local Black leader. Powell expertly steered the Black community through numerous crises, including two pandemics, two World Wars, and the Great Depression, while leading the Grand Lodge and informally governing LaVilla for nearly 50 years. This is the first History Chat in the Library's new African American History series of community programs made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.

It's True! November is Nonfiction Month

Nonfiction books help us understand our history and our world, dive deep into subjects that inspire and entertain us, and open our minds to the lived experience of others. November is National Nonfiction Month and November 7 is National Nonfiction Day! Mark the occasion with a new memoir, science or history book on a topic you've been meaning to explore! Our librarians have put together a few suggestions to get you started.

National Picture Book Month!

Each November, we take the time to honor and celebrate the enduring beauty and significance of picture books. This initiative reminds us of the power they hold in fostering literacy and imagination in readers of all ages. Join us as we explore the art of storytelling and the spark of joy that picture books bring to our lives.

We Are Open for Art Walk

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. This month, check out local art in the gallery, join the zinesters meeting and collaborating in the Zine Zone, or sign up for an art tour.

Big Bag Book Sale

It's that time of year again! It's time for our BIG BAG BOOK SALE! Where we believe MORE IS MORE! Shop till you drop in books galore. We will have a wide range of books for all ages and genre lovers. Not to mention we will also have movies and music on sale. Record lovers will have a chance to snag their favorite records of artists they LOVE!! Read on to find out the details of the event. Proceeds from the memberships and book sales support and enhance programs and services at Jacksonville Public Library. Can't make the sale? You can still support the Friends and the Library by donating your gently-loved books, DVDs, CDs, and jigsaw puzzles. Donations totaling less than three boxes can be dropped off at any branch. If you have more than three boxes, please take them directly to the FJPL bookstore located at 3435 University Blvd N. To find more information on the Big Bag Book sale, visit https://www.fjpl.org.

Jax by Jax Literary Arts Festival Comes to the Downtown Main Library

An annual showcase of Jacksonville’s thriving writing scene, JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival features local author readings, workshops, and a student showcase. Founded in 2014 by prolific local author Tim Gilmore and his wife, Florida State College at Jacksonville professor Jo Carlisle, this grassroots festival brings together local writers, their readers and supporters - all in an effort to ask the city to listen to its own literary voice. For its 11th year, JaxbyJax will make its return to the Main Library on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2024.

History, Authors, Books and Writing Programs for Adults in November

Whether you're looking for tips on writing your next book, learning how to run a tabletop roleplaying game, building a small business website, or just looking for more book recommendations, the Library has a wide variety of programs for adults in locations across the city. In November, the Main Library will also play host to JaxbyJax year XI, a literary arts festival for writers, by writers. Plus, the African American History Community Programs series continues with a special History Chat with guest speaker Jerry Urso.

Workshops and Resources for Writers this November

Get help writing, publishing and marketing your own book with FREE Writer's Lab workshops!