Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Join a Library Book Club during Library Lover's Month in 2025

February is Library Lover's Month - a time to celebrate libraries and the people who use them. So stop in and check out a book (or twelve). If you're a book lover, you might also consider joining one (or more) of our Library Book Clubs. It's a great way to meet people and get more book recommendations. If you're busy or just looking for more accessible options, we've got plenty of digital apps and resources like Libby, hoopla Digital and Kanopy that you can use from home.

Never Forget, Never Again: Honoring Holocaust Remembrance Day

Books to Honor Holocaust Remembrance Day

The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Around the country and the world, Holocaust victims are mourned and remembered by the reading of their names, by the lighting of candles, and by learning about the Holocaust.

Stock Up & Save at the Friends of Mandarin Library Winter Book Sale

January 31 - February 1: Shop and save on books, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles with the Friends of Mandarin Library's next Book Sale. There's a wide selection of items for every age - children, teens, and adults. The sale is located at 3330 Kori Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Both days of the sale are open to all, but membership is encouraged and appreciated. Proceeds from sales and memberships are used to enhance programs and services at the Mandarin Library.

Lit Chat Interview with Rebecca Brenner Graham - Live on Zoom

Meet the authors that everyone's talking about - from New York Times bestsellers to up-and-coming local writers. This month, meet the author of the new book, Dear Miss Perkins: A Story of Frances Perkins's Efforts to Aid Refugees from Nazi Germany. This Lit Chat Interview is a 60-minute (virtual) program consisting of a 40-minute conversation between author Dr. Rebecca Brenner Graham and Professor Jennie Ziegler, followed by 20 minutes of audience Q&A.

Great Decisions 2025: America's World Affairs Discussion Program

The mission of the Foreign Policy Association today, as it has been for over 100 years, is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. That's why they created Great Decisions, America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Every year, discussion topics are chosen by a panel of experts and discussed in libraries, schools and community centers across the United States. Each meeting begins with a 20-minute video lecture on a topic, followed by a facilitator-led discussion with a local subject-matter expert.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Recommended Reads + Local Events

Books to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service (MLK Day) is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off." By participating in service projects, we can bridge divides, heal wounds, and create lasting change that will benefit our community for years to come. The service project might meet a tangible need, such as fixing up a school or senior center, or it might do the hard work of starting to build a sense of community or mutual responsibility.

Free Author Talks and Interviews at Your Library this January

Meet the authors that everyone's talking about - from New York Times bestsellers to up-and-coming local writers. Did you know that all of our Lit Chat authors' books count toward your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge completion? Find out what authors we're hosting this month and join in on the fun!

Books for Your Inner Word Nerd

Books for World Nerds. Image contains a pair of reading glasses.

Are you a fan of puns and fancy word play? Do you do deep dives on the origin and evolution of language? Do you often find yourself enjoying a good game of Scrabble or Wordle? We've got some books for the Word Nerd in you (or the one in your family).

James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson Youth Piano Competition

Youth Piano Competition. Image features a piano and music notes.

The Friends of the Brentwood Library group is proud to present the James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson Youth Piano Competition on Saturday, February 15, 2025. This prestigious competition not only commemorates the 125th Anniversary of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" - an anthem that has resonated across generations and holds a significant place in American history - but it also provides a platform for aspiring young pianists to showcase their talent, passion and dedication to the art of piano performance.

Books for Your To-Be-Read Pile or Your Next Reading Challenge

What's your to-be-read pile looking like in 2025? Are you placing holds on the Library's Forthcoming Books so you're first in line for the next chapter in your favorite series? Or do you still have a ton of books on your list from 2024 that you've been meaning to pick up? January is a great time to take stock of your TBR and set reading goals for the year. That's why this year, we're celebrating "Book Blitz Month" along with you!