Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk & FREE Book Giveaway with Mr. Joe

Photo of Mr. Joe Gaskin riding a bike around town

Ever wonder what it takes to become a published author? As the author of Teemu the Emu and other upcoming releases, our friend Mr. Joe offers a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse. This is a chance for your budding artists and authors to discover the magic of storytelling within themselves. Don't miss this Junior Lit Chat with Mr. Joe, Saturday, September 7, from 2-3 p.m. at Mandarin Branch Library!

Meet New York Times Bestselling Author/Illustrator Vashti Harrison

Junior Lit Chat Author Talk with Vashti Harrison

Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville with the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of Big, Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends and the illustrator of Andrea Beaty's I Love You Like Yellow, Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Hello, Star, among others. She received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Lupita Nyong’o’s Sulwe and is also a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children.

Get to Know the New York Times Bestselling Author Jason Reynolds

Teen Lit Chat Interview with Jason Reynolds

The Library's biggest celebration of authors, books, and writing is back! Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville featuring a Teen Lit Chat Interview with Jason Reynolds, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many award-winning books, including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin).

New York Times Bestselling Author Gabrielle Zevin at Jax Book Fest

Lit Chat Interview with Gabrielle Zevin

The Library's biggest celebration of authors, books, and writing is back! Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville featuring a Lit Chat Interview with Gabrielle Zevin on Saturday, September 21 from 2 - 3 p.m. Gabrielle Zevin is a #1 New York Times bestselling novelist whose books have been translated into forty languages. Her tenth novel, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, was a New York Times bestseller, a Sunday Times bestseller, and a selection of the Tonight Show’s Fallon Book Club.

Lit Chat Interview with Top Chef Personality & Author Kenny Gilbert

Photo of Chef Kenny Gilbert

Chef Kenny Gilbert is best known for his appearance on “Top Chef” Season seven, where he displayed a big personality and instantly became one of the most likable "cheftestants" to date. He is also the author of the new cookbook, Southern Cooking, Global Flavors (2023), which includes international variations of over 100 iconic Southern dishes.

Library Cards Are the MVPs of Back to School Supplies

Books to Celebrate Going Back to School

School starts next week here in Duval County. Have you picked up all of the supplies on your list? If you haven't signed yourself or your kids up for a library card, you are missing one of the best (and free) resources available! Not only does a library card give you access to free books, movies, and music but there are also some lesser-known benefits you should know about!

For the Book Lovers: Celebrating National Book Lovers Day

Books for Library Lovers

At Jacksonville Public Library, we celebrate book lovers every day! Not only do we have all the best books - available in hardcover, paperback, large print, and audiobook formats - but you also have access to digital formats through Libby, hoopla, Tumblebook, and Biblioboard Library. We also have a year-round reading challenge for adults designed to expand your reading horizons and we participate in Mayor Deegan's River City Readers city-wide literacy challenge. If you want to interact with other book lovers outside of big events like Jax Book Fest, you can also join a Library Book Club and get even more book recommendations from readers just like you! 

August Art Walk Features a Travel-Inspired Art Exhibit and Reception

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.

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