Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Lit Chat Interview with British Actor and Debut Author Paterson Joseph

Paterson Joseph is a beloved British actor and writer. Recently seen on Vigil, Noughts + Crosses and Boat Story, he has also starred in The Leftovers and Law & Order UK and he also plays Arthur Slugworth in the Wonka movie. The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho is his debut novel. Catch the interview between Paterson Joseph and interviewer Kelsi Hasden from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 14 at Southeast Regional Library.

Free Writer's Workshops and Opportunities to Get More Readers

Get help writing, publishing and marketing your own book with FREE Writer's Lab workshops! We've also got a ton of free resources like Pressbooks and Indie Author Project that will help you find new readers and make self-publishing easier. Speaking of which... Indie Author Project's Annual Contest is accepting entries starting April 1 through May 31, 2025. Get the recognition you deserve for writing great books! There's also a prize of $2500 for first place!

Get Drawn In With a Library Book Club this April

Millions of people across the country visit their libraries every week. What’s the draw? Well, everything! From young families stopping in for play and storytime, to students exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) through hands-on activities, to seniors seeking tech help and everyone in between, libraries of all kinds help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next. Get drawn in with a great book and a lively discussion at a Library Book Club this month!

Life Lab: Free Gardening and Business Classes this April

Learn how to grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances with free workshops at the Library! Life Lab programs are offered by trained professionals and aimed at improving your day-to-day life. This month, explore the benefits of fertilizer in your garden, get workforce ready, and learn the basics of entrepreneurship with free classes from our community partners.

Free Tax Preparation Available With AARP

The Jacksonville Public Library is proud to partner with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) TaxAide during the tax season each year to provide FREE tax preparation. Taxes will be prepared BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. The scheduling system goes live January 15 for appointments starting February 1.

Lit Chat Interview with USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Mustian

Four years after Kelly Mustian's USA Today bestselling debut novel, The Girls in the Stilt House, started appearing on "must-read" lists and earning starred reviews, the author is set to release her much-anticipated second novel on April 1, 2025. Like her first, The River Knows Your Name is already gathering buzz as a tumultuous and "well-woven mystery."

It's March Book Madness with the Return of the Big Bag Book Sale!

Friends of the the Jacksonville Public Library Big Bag Book Sale

It's time again for everybody's favorite BIG BAG BOOK SALE from our Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library! Fill up a bag (or three) with as many books as you (and the bags) can carry! Paper grocery bags are provided. There will be a wide range of books available for all ages and book lovers. You can also find fantastic deals on movies, audiobooks, records, jigsaw puzzles, and more.

Elementary Art Exhibition 2025

Elementary Art Exhibition. 16 locations.

Our annual Elementary Art Exhibition honors the fantastic work of student artists and their teachers in the Visual Art programs at Duval County Public Schools. The "Best of Elementary Art Exhibition" starts Saturday, March 15, at Main Library. A larger "Elementary Art Exhibition" starts Thursday, March 27, at 15 other regional and neighborhood libraries, showcasing emerging artists from the closest elementary school to each participating library.

10th Annual Beaches Library Comic Fest

Wear your best cape and cowl (or that really cool bow tie and fez) and join us for a fandom-filled celebration of reading, pop culture and fandom for all ages! Beaches Library Comic Fest returns in 2025 for its 10th annual celebration on Saturday, May 3, from 1 – 4 p.m This FAN-tastic event is sponsored by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library and organized by your favorite librarians. It features some local cosplayers, gamers, and comic creators from the Beaches community and beyond.

Watch and Discuss: Great Unsung Women in Computing at Main Library

In the U.S., women are vastly underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) fields, holding under 25% of STEM jobs and a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees. Watch the award-winning documentary film series Great Unsung Women in Computing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at the Main Library. The screening will be followed by a presentation and Q&A with local engineer and designer, Ania Wilson.