Jacksonville Public Library Blog

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.

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.

Staff Picks Genre Study: LGBTQ+ in Horror

In honor of spooky season and LGBTQ+ History Month, we’re highlighting the subgenre of queer horror! Horror, as a genre, focuses on the body, desire, and fear. The perfect place to discuss normativity (or lack of) and social identity, it has been embraced as a place for queer books and writing to thrive.

Rainbow Reads for Families - in Honor LGBTQ+ History Month

Jacksonville Public Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us this month!

Happy Veterans Day | Honoring all who Served!

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served, currently serve, and to the loved ones, family members, and caregivers of service members. Today and throughout the year, we honor and appreciate those who have made and continue to make sacrifices for our country. The Jacksonville Public Library has created veteran-themed booklists for all ages to pay tribute to this national holiday.

Lit Chat Interview with Author and Filmmaker Morgan Jerkins

We are excited to announce that New York Times bestselling and National Magazine Award-winning author Morgan Jerkins will be the first featured Lit Chat author in the Library's new African American History series of community programs. The project, aimed at calling attention to and expanding the African American History Collection and Digital Community Archive, is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Enchanting New Adventures In the World of Fractured Fairy Tales!

Join the Book Fairy for fun family storytimes, games, and activities inspired by modern retellings of classic stories. For 1st - 3rd graders and their families. Join us on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at University Park Branch or third Tuesday at 5 p.m. Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library starting in October.

Haunted Happenings: Join the Teen Advisory Board Takeover in October

Haunted Happenings: Join the TAB Takeover October 7-18

Scare up some friends (ages 12-17) and join us for budget-friendly costume tips, practice with special effects makeup, spooky book recommendations, themed games, treats, and more! It's a complete takeover of the Teen Advisory Board for Halloween! Join us from October 7 - 18 at a TAB near you!

Lit Chat Interview with Silvia Moreno-Garcia at Southeast Library

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, is coming to Jacksonville for Hispanic Heritage Month. Her latest novel is a historical drama set in Hollywood, following three different point of view characters all tied to the production of a movie inspired by the Biblical story of Salome. She will be in conversation with author Michelle Lizet Flores on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. at the Southeast Library.

October Art Walk: 15 Years of Zines + Women in Service Lecture, Exhibit

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.