Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Pro Tip Tuesday: Keep Track, Keep Moving

Pro Tips Week 3: Get closer to your goals by tracking your progress

One of the best ways to be ensure you’re closer to achieving your goals is to keep track of progress over time. Now, that doesn’t mean your goals have to be lofty or even long-term. Short-term goals can still involve several steps. So how do you keep your eye on the prize? After you break those S.M.A.R.T. goals down to steps, then mark each of these tasks as “completed,” “in progress,” or “not started.” It’s also not a bad idea to set up some type of reward system. Celebrate each step, each milestone. Setting and achieving long-term goals can go a long way to giving you a sense of purpose and a path. But don’t discount the power of small wins or the sense of accomplishment you feel checking off a task as done.

Monday Motivation: From Dead End to Dream Career

Pass the GED, Earn a Mortuary Science degree, Comfort people for a living

When Jacqueline was in 6th grade and the question was asked, “Who wants to become a mortician?” she was the only student in the class to raise her hand. “I heard the whispers from my fellow peers of ‘oh she's weird,’ and ‘that's morbid.’ I didn't care what they said or the looks I received.” It was an unlikely choice for most people, maybe, but a good fit for her. Years later and true to her word, Jacqueline enrolled in Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Mortuary Science program. However, she only had her “Certificate of Completion” from Mandarin High School, which, she learned, was not enough to pursue the dream career she had planned.

Books For All Ages That Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr

Many decades have passed since the world lost Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., yet his trail-blazing legacy still lives on. As a celebrated nonviolent resistance organizer, Martin Luther King Jr. fought against racial inequality and segregation. He was a talented orator and many of his speeches are still relevant and revered today, especially his I Have A Dream speech. Pictures of him leading the march on Selma are frequently shared on social media as inspiration that his dream still lives on. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy, look back on his life, his hopes, and his dreams, with these reads that will inspire us all to continue the work that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s started for us.

Treat Your Pets Like Presidential Pets

To celebrate National "Dress Up Your Pet Day" (January 14th), we put together a fun booklist of some of the highest-profile pets in the United States. Over the years, they've become some of our favorite White House residents and - through sheer cuteness - have won the hearts of a nation. Of course, if you want to celebrate the day at home: consider a visit to the groomer or dress your furry friends up in fun or fashionable outfits. With the cold weather we've been having lately, they might actually appreciate a cozy sweater! So, dress them up, let them strut, and let the children act as their personal paparazzi. Whatever you do, though: make sure your fur babies are safe and comfortable. And have fun reading!

Pro Tip Tuesday: Learning Paths to Success

Pro Tips: Learn a new skill now, reap the benefits for life

It’s 2021 and many of us could use a fresh start. Whether it’s training for the career of your dreams, finally investing some time and energy into your art or music, or it’s about getting serious and opening that small business: Lynda.com and the Library can help you. If you’re pressed for time or just a little “Zoomed out” at this point (and let’s face it, most of us are)… and all you can commit to right now is “30 Minutes of Learning” a week, trust that you can still make incremental and meaningful progress toward that #goal.

Monday Motivation: A New Beginning

Lianying Ye had previously earned a medical degree in China. Tragically, all of her school records and proof of credentials were lost in a fire. Now in the U.S., how would she do what she trained for and what she loved?

Universal Letter Writing Week: Pick Up A Pen and Paper

Universal Letter Writing Week is recognized every year during the second full week of January and it encourages us all to pick up a pen and paper and write to someone. For inspiration, we’ve also put together a list of letter-writing themed books, including some how-to guides and popular fiction titles that expertly feature this fading method of communication. Keep the tradition of pen pals, postcards, and other personalized posts going strong this week and throughout the new year.

Jacksonville Public Library's Top 20 Checkouts of 2020

Pro Tip Tuesday: How To Make and Keep Your Resolutions

Pro Tips: What 1-2 skills have you always wanted to learn? Accept the 30 minutes of learning challenge!

Why do so many of our New Year's resolutions end up failing? In addition to commitment and accountability, you also need 1) to be Specific, 2) have some Measure for success, and you need to 3) make it Achievable, 4) and Realistic given the 5) Time frame in which you hope to complete said S.M.A.R.T. goal. It's best to start small. As we kickstart 2021, ask yourself: What 1-2 skills have you always wanted to learn? Accept the 30 Minute Learning Challenge.

Writer’s Lab with Nikesha Elise Williams

Complex Characters, award-winning author Nikesha Elise Williams will help you make your characters more compelling in two virtual sessions and a final virtual workshop.

This character study is for writers who want to dig beyond the surface of common tropes and give their characters depth that make them feel like real people. People who are flawed, insecure, incomplete, and blind to their own behavior.