Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Lit Chat Interview with Author and Filmmaker Morgan Jerkins

We are excited to announce that New York Times bestselling and National Magazine Award-winning author Morgan Jerkins will be the first featured Lit Chat author in the Library's new African American History series of community programs. The project, aimed at calling attention to and expanding the African American History Collection and Digital Community Archive, is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival Comes to the Downtown Main Library

A grassroots festival showcasing and bringing together Jacksonville writers, JaxbyJax Literary Arts Festival was founded in 2014 by prolific local author Tim Gilmore and his wife, Florida State College at Jacksonville professor Jo Carlisle. The event includes local author readings, workshops, coaching and a student showcase. For its 11th year, JaxbyJax will make its return to the Conference Center at Main Library on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2024.

Lit Chat Interview with Silvia Moreno-Garcia at Southeast Library

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, is coming to Jacksonville for Hispanic Heritage Month. Her latest novel is a historical drama set in Hollywood, following three different point of view characters all tied to the production of a movie inspired by the Biblical story of Salome. She will be in conversation with author Michelle Lizet Flores on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. at the Southeast Library.

Fall Into Reading Festival

Join us for the Fall Literacy Festival at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park in Jacksonville, FL on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 3 - 6 p.m. We are excited to celebrate the opening of our newly added StoryWalk® with our community partners. The festival promises to be fun, featuring face painting, arts & crafts, games, storytime, StoryWalk Tours, and much more!

Enchanting New Adventures In the World of Fractured Fairy Tales!

Join the Book Fairy for fun family storytimes, games, and activities inspired by modern retellings of classic stories. For 1st - 3rd graders and their families. Join us on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at University Park Branch or third Tuesday at 5 p.m. Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library starting in October.

Haunted Happenings: Join the Teen Advisory Board Takeover in October

Haunted Happenings: Join the TAB Takeover October 7-18

Scare up some friends (ages 12-17) and join us for budget-friendly costume tips, practice with special effects makeup, spooky book recommendations, themed games, treats, and more! It's a complete takeover of the Teen Advisory Board for Halloween! Join us from October 7 - 18 at a TAB near you!

October Art Walk: 15 Years of Zines + Women in Service Lecture, Exhibit

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. This month, check out local art in the gallery, join the zinesters meeting and collaborating in the Zine Zone, or sign up for an art tour.

Celebrating Library and Community Book Clubs this October

Hey, Book Club fans: It's National Book Month! Celebrate reading and talking about books with your favorite book club. Of course, our free Library Book Clubs continue this October with some great book discussions. And if you can't get enough reading and recommendations: There's also still time to finish the 2024 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge!

Life Lab Workshops at Your Library this October + Genealogy Help

New name... same great series! 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. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!

Authors, Books and Writing Programs for Adults in October

Whether you're looking for tips on writing your next book, learning how to run a tabletop roleplaying game, building a small business website, or just looking for more book recommendations, the Library has a wide variety of programs for adults across Jacksonville.