Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Kids and Teens: Win $100 for Writing the Best Book Review!

Book Review Writing Contest. Kids and Teens: You could win $100!

Do you love reading and talking about books? Are you the friend (or the influencer) with all the best book recommendations? Is your bookshelf a carefully curated trophy case of all your favorite reading adventures? This could be your time to shine! 

Win $100 in cash for writing the most persuasive book review and be one of our guests of honor at a special event downtown all about celebrating reading!

Authors, Books, Writing Programs and More for Adults this December

Library U Adult Programs newsletter

The writer/editor relationship can be a bountifully productive, creative collaboration. It can also leave both parties frustrated with each other and the resulting manuscript. Join us as we expel some myths about the author/editor relationship and expand your publishing knowhow with author/editor Jessica Hatch at our next Writer's Lab workshop! Or, meet local civil rights activist and author, Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. and hear about his latest book, Black and Brilliant.

Holiday Feasts and Treats Cookbooks

Holiday Cooking

The holiday season is here... and with it, hearty Thanksgiving feasts and other tasty holiday treats! Whatever you're celebrating and wherever you're starting on your cooking journey, we've got some great cookbooks to guide new cooks and to inspire "seasoned" pros. Whether you're looking for a new cookie recipe to wow your family and friends or you're on the hunt for a cookbook that really gets into the "meat" of turkey prep... You'll find tons of great cookbooks on the shelves or even on digital library apps like hoopla Digital and Libby by Overdrive! 

Witchy Read-alikes and Fairy Tale Retellings for Fans of Wicked

Wicked movie read-alikes

Whether you're a fan of L. Frank Baum's classic Oz books, Gregory Maguire's Wicked series, the much-beloved (and long-running) Broadway musical, or the brand-new film adaptation: You'll be tickled practically pink with all the Wicked read-alikes on the shelves at the Library! Between "Popular" and fun witchy read-alikes to gravity and genre-defying fractured fairy tales, we've got something for old fans and new (even if you're really green). 

December Book Club Reading Recommendations + Meetings

Join a Library Book Club

Join us on Friday, December 6, from 1-3 p.m. at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Riverside for a spirited discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer! There is no charge for admission if you're registered for the book club. We'll start off by taking a tour of the Spirit in the Land exhibit before talking about the book. Plus, find out what books our Library Book Clubs are reading and discussing!

Myths About the Revision Process with Writer/Editor Jessica Hatch

Writer's Lab logo

The writer/editor relationship can be a bountifully productive, creative collaboration. It can also leave both parties frustrated with each other and the resulting manuscript. Whether you're an aspiring author reaching out to literary agents, who will likely request a revision pass before sending your manuscript out on submission; an indie writer wondering how best to use your time and money to hire a freelance editor; or a writer doing their best with a round of self-revision, there's something in this hour-long, virtual workshop for you.

Lit Chat Interview with Civil Rights Activist & Author Rodney Hurst, Sr.

Photo of Rodney Hurst Sr. with Lit Chat logo

As the sixteen-year-old President of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP, he was one of the leaders of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations that culminated in the infamous and violent Ax Handle Saturday. Hurst's first book, the award-winning "It Was Never About a Hot Dog and a Coke®!", tells that story. Hurst’s fourth book, "Black and Brilliant" (written for 12-18 year-olds), dives deeper into bigotry, segregation and racism he experienced as a pre-teen and a teenager in Jacksonville.

How to Find and Apply for Small Business Grants

Small Business and Side Hustles

While May is Small Business Month, November is pretty BIG for small businesses, too. First, there's Small Business Saturday on November 30 and this year marks the 15th anniversary! It's a great way for your customers and community to show their support - and get a much needed financial injection at the end of the year. This year's theme is: "One Day Makes a Difference." What else could you do this month to make a difference in your small business?

Call for Memories: Share Your San Marco Photos and Stories

San Marco 75th Anniversary call for memories graphic

Jacksonville Public Library is commemorating the 75th anniversary of San Marco Branch Library with a Call for Memories and a series of public programs focused on the past, present and future of the neighborhood. This year-long celebration of the San Marco community, its residents and their library officially kicks off January 3, 2025. But you can start donating your family's photos and contributing your library stories to the San Marco Memories display right now! 

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