Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Books to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & MLK Day of Service

Martin Luther King Jr Day. Image features a quote from the "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

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. If you're looking to build bridges, Jacksonville Public Library also has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us this week.

Forward Thinking: Panel Discussion Promoting Unity in Our Community

OneJax and Interfaith Center will bring a panel of interfaith leaders to the Main Library on Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. for a 60-minute discussion promoting unity in our community. They will address antisemitism and other topics impacting our area including prejudices in faith, race, ethnicity, LGBTQ+, gender, and diverse abilities. The program is the fifth and final community panel in a speaker series1 that started in September 2023.

Junior Lit Chat with Karen S. Chow + Get a FREE Copy of Miracle

"When her father dies, Amie’s ability to play music dies, too. Nothing short of a miracle can bring back what she has lost." Karen S. Chow's lyrical narrative, Miracle, is a story about the complexity of grief - told in a way that's accessible to children. Learn more about this remarkable book at a special author event intended for kids, ages 5-12.

Travel Across Space and Time: Read A Book In Honor of Sci Fi Day!

Do you like exploring strange new worlds with your favorite away team? Do you dress up as one of those space wizards with laser swords from a galaxy far, far away? Do you like time travel, alternate universes, steampunk, and robots? National Science Fiction Day is celebrated (unofficially) every January 2 by fans across the U.S. If you're looking for your next escape into fantastical, futuristic worlds filled with advanced technology, we've got some great recommendations to get you started!

January Art Walk: Create an Eight-Page Mini Zine or Comic

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent with us on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library stays open until 9 p.m. for the festivities! We are conveniently located directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, one of Art Walk's two major hubs of activity. Not only that, there is usually local art on display, zinesters meeting and collaborating on the first floor, tabletop gamers doing one-shot adventures, and special drop-in activities going on in the Teen Room.