Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Ladies Who Launch - Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs

It's 2023! Is this the year you... Make your hobby a side hustle? Start your own business? Or work on taking your business to the next level? This month's featured titles are full of practical advice and inspirational guides designed to help you achieve your goals — whether you're a #GirlBoss opening the door for future generations, a fledgling entrepreneur building your business, or a woman in the workforce looking to stand out.

Discover the Roots of the Most Critical Issues Facing America

Great Decisions is a program created by the Foreign Policy Association. It is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. Each meeting begins with a 20-minute video on a discussion topic followed by a facilitator-led discussion on global issues.

Attend whichever meetings interest you! Topics for the Great Decisions 2023 series include War Crimes, Climate Mitigation, Politics in Latin America, Global Famine, China and the US, Economic Warfare, and more.

Grab Your Brackets And Some Books: It's Time for March Madness!

March Madness has begun! Are you ready? The climax of the college basketball season brings with it great games, amazing athletes, and ultimately, an exciting Final Four showdown! Will your favorite team come out on top? Will their game be one for the history books?

Reading & Savings Are in Full Bloom at the Friends' Big Bag Book Sale

Big Bag Book Sale on March 23 through 25

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library's Big Bag Book Sale will be back on March 23-25. There will be fabulous deals on books, movies, audiobooks, records, jigsaw puzzles and more. The bookstore is located at the University Park Branch Library at 3435 University Blvd. N.

A Celebration of Childhood and Creativity

Best of Elementary Art Show. March 21 - April 25, 2023. 16 Library Locations.

Get inspired by the imaginative artwork of local school children! The Best of Elementary Art Show will be on display at most of your local libraries starting March 21, 2023.

A Spirited Talk About Hemingway, Benefiting JaxKids Book Club

Hello to Hemingway. Fundraiser for the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation

Get your tickets now for a "spirited" lecture and rum tasting celebrating the legendary American novelist, Ernest Hemingway on Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center at Main Library hosted by the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. Dr. Bart H. Welling, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of North Florida (UNF), will talk about Hemingway's life and literary works. Ms. Alexa Morgan of the Hemingway House and Museum will provide a virtual tour of the museum! Enjoy a little bit of Key West, right here in Jacksonville!

How Reading Can Make You A Better Writer

For the Love of Books: Workshop with Jennifer Wolfe

As a writer, you've probably been told — time and again — that to grow your craft and become a better writer, you must read widely and often. That's why you got a library card, took the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge and joined a Library Book Club. Now what?

That's where Writer's Lab comes in!

Take your writing to the next level at a writing workshop with Jennifer Wolfe of Women Writing for (a) Change on March 25 at the Brown Eastside Branch Library! She'll show you how you can use your love of books to fuel your writing.

Staff Picks Genre Study - Graphic Memoirs

Staff Picks Genre Study book list graphic

I get so excited when I see a new graphic memoir on the browse shelf. Graphic memoirs are little slices of life told in comic book form. They allow you a dynamic opportunity to gain understanding about a particular time in a person’s life, while providing context for the author’s experience.

Learn About A Little Known Figure in Women's History

Lit Chat Interview with Christopher Gorham

For Women’s History Month, join us for a discussion about a little-known figure in American history, Anna Marie Rosenberg. Author Christopher Gorham in his book The Confidante highlights the contributions of Rosenberg, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who became FDR’s “Mrs. Fix-It”. Gorham will discuss Rosenberg and the process of researching her in this Lit Chat Interview.

Kids and Teens: WIN cash for book reviews!

Book Review Writing Contest. Kids & Teens: You could win $100 in cash!

Do your kids and teens love reading and talking about books? They could win $100 in cash and be our guests of honor at a special celebration - all about reading - on Saturday, April 1 at James Weldon Johnson Park (across from the Main Library)! All we're asking them to do is write about their favorite book and tell us why other people should read it. The most persuasive book review from each age group (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and grades 9-12) wins!