Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Cash & Scholarships for Young Writers & Performers

James Weldoh Johnson Young Writers Festival

Students in grades 3-12: Win cash and scholarships in the Friends of Brentwood Library's annual James Weldon Johnson Young Writer's Festival!

Jax Book Fest Presents: Writers' Day 2026

Pick from over a dozen different Writer's Lab workshops—lead by publishers, authors, and other industry insiders—at Jax Book Fest: Writers' Day.

Special Collections: Stanton Memories, Newspaper Archives, and More

The cover of the 1939 Stanton Memories booklet, including a photo of the school and 'Reminiscence of Yesterday.'

Recently, the Library's Special Collections department received a lovely donation of a 1939 Memories book for Stanton High School.

Junior Lit Author Talk and Book Giveaway with Nola D. Oracle

Author and filmmaker Nola D. Oracle joins us at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at Brentwood Branch for a 30-minute Junior Lit Chat Author Talk.

Books About Mothers and Motherhood

This month, help mark Mother's Day in style with books about and for those book-loving moms in your life.

Screening Room: The Little Brown Bird with Duval Audubon Society

Andrew Schumann with a little bird on perched on his finger

Film screening and discussion about America’s most endangered songbird, Florida grasshopper sparrow, with the Duval Audubon Society.

History Chat: Stanton - Florida's Oldest African American School

Stanton with an historical photo of the building, from the book cover

Stanton gives a pictorial history of the buildings, faculty, student life, and traditions that have left an indelible mark on African American life in Jacksonville.

Learn from Local Experts - Free Adult Programs at the Library this May

This May, attend a free writing workshop, author talk, gardening workshop, local History Chat, and more. Plus, our Conservation Series kicks off.

History Chat with Ramesh Buch and North Florida Land Trust

At our 2026 Conservation Series kick off, learn how North Florida Land Trust uses land acquisition and restoration to conserve irreplaceable land.

Lit Chat Interview with Bestselling Thriller Suspense Author Kaira Rouda

Photo of Kaira Rouda with four of her books including 'Best Day Ever,' 'The Next Wife,' 'Beneath the Surface,' and 'We Were Never Friends.'

Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and international bestselling author known for "domestic suspense" including: Best Day Ever and The Next Wife.