Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Shop the Big Bag Book Summer Sale and Support the Library!

Friends of Jacksonville Public Library Big Bag Book Sale July 18-20

Summer and reading just go together! But now, so do HOT deals on literal bags full of books! The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library's semi-annual Big Bag Book Sale returns July 18-20 with fantastic deals on books, movies, audiobooks, records, jigsaw puzzles, and more. Not only can you fill a paper bag full of books for just $15 (already a great deal), but you can also get free bags of books, too! That's a lot of books!

Graphic Novels in Libraries Month

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! Started in 2019 by Booklist (the American Library Association's review journal) to bring attention to and promote the growing graphic novel and comics collections in our nation’s libraries, this month-long celebration coincides with the world’s biggest fandom event, San Diego Comic Con. At Jacksonville Public Library, we celebrate graphic novels all year round! We have a monthly Comic Club (Graphic Novel Book Club) at the Willow Branch Library. Join a Library Book Club today and get even more book recommendations from readers just like you!

Books to Celebrate Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is celebrated every year in July, in part, to celebrate the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. It's a time to embrace and honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. In Jacksonville, we commemorate the day with an annual Disability and Adaptive Recreation Expo at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center. This year, Jacksonville Public Library is proud to launch our new and completely FREE Books by Mail service for Duval County residents who are unable to visit the Library due to a temporary or permanent disability or illness.

Now Available: Get Library Books By Mail Delivered FREE to Your Home

Are you or someone you know unable to visit the library due to a temporary or permanent disability or illness? Jacksonville Public Library now offers a FREE service that delivers books and other library materials by mail to Duval County residents via the United States Postal Service. Available materials include regular print books, large print books, audiobooks on CD, magazines, music CDs and DVDs.

Lit Chat Interview with Writer & Musician Daryl Gussin

Daryl Gussin is a writer and musician who has been awkwardly standing around at punk shows for the last twenty-something years. Thankfully at some point in his late teens, he decided to become a little more productive and has been working on zines, setting up shows, and playing in bands consecutively since then. In 2006, Daryl Gussin became integrally involved in the Razorcake fanzine where he is currently the managing editor.

Writer's Lab: Music Fanzine Workshop with Daryl Gussin

Are you a big music fan? Do you go to concerts, join fan groups, and actively seek out other fans (in person or online) to geek out with about your favorite lyrics? Have you ever considered making your own fanzine? In this workshop, you'll tackle "fandom" as a creative avenue and learn how to build community through collaborative projects. Instructor Daryl Gussin will offer a historical and personal background on the medium and then guide participants through the hands-on process of zine-making.

Adult Programs in July: Two Lit Chats, A Fanzine Writer's Lab & More!

This month, catch up with Little House on the Prairie star Dean Butler for the release of his memoir and the show's 50th anniversary. Later in the month. learn how to make your own music fanzine with instructor Daryl Gussin in our Writer's Lab series. He returns later that same day for a Lit Chat Interview about music, zines and finding your community. Plus, there are 15 Library Book Club meetings, three Life Lit skills workshops, and more!

July Art Walk: Art Tours, Zinester Meetup, Board Games & More!

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.

Books for Muslim American History Month

This month, we've put together a list of books by and about Muslim Americans. These books are available in multiple formats and cover various topics, from history and biography to fiction and poetry.

Happy Birthday America! Independence Day Books for Kids

There are so many traditions when it comes to the Fourth of July. Why not create a new one by adding a few books to your day with family wherever you may find yourself? At Jacksonville Public Library we have a variety of books you can choose from chosen by our awesome librarians! You'll be sure to find something you love to read with your little ones.