Contacts: Chris Boivin, (904) 255-6106
Cell: (904) 759-5643, cboivin@coj.net
Jill Dame, CEO of Leadership Jacksonville (Retired), Shares Her Passion for Reading During National Library Week
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 10, 2024 — In the latest episode of the Passion for Reading video series, Jill Dame, recently retired CEO of Leadership Jacksonville, emphasized the vital role of libraries. "Libraries," she stated, "are one of the greatest hallmarks of our democracy. Anyone can go in, and access knowledge, and participate in a learning experience."
As Duval County celebrates National Library Week, we are pleased to release Dame's Passion for Reading episode. Mrs. Dame has been a dedicated member of Jacksonville Public Library's Board of Library Trustees since 2016, and has led the Board's Governance Committee for six years.
Leadership and staff of Jacksonville Public Library, READ JAX, and the Library Foundation of Jacksonville would like to thank Mrs. Dame for taking the time to share her passion for reading in this latest video. Her insights inspire us all to embrace the joy of reading. By following Dame's advice—"Take a book wherever you go, and it will take you even further"—we can foster a thriving, literacy-focused community across Duval County.
Watch the video
View and share Jill Dame’s Passion for Reading episode on YouTube and social media. Let’s ignite the love for reading and empower our community through the magic of the written word.
Take Mayor Deegan's River City Readers Challenge
One great way to spark—or stoke—a passion for reading: join Mayor Deegan's River City Readers Challenge! Download the Beanstack app, log your reading, and help your city reach 1,000,000 minutes read in 2024. Visit jacksonville.gov/rivercityreaders to get started.
About Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.1 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and over 15,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 255-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.
About READ JAX
READ JAX is a community-wide initiative that aspires to a future where all Duval children are reading at or above grade level by the end of 3rd grade. The Jacksonville Public Education Fund and Kids Hope Alliance are helping to lead this effort alongside various community organizations. Together, these organizations have identified four key elements to drive the shared vision of READ JAX: home learning/ family engagement, quality early care & education, VPK - third-grade instruction, and broader community engagement. READ JAX is also part of the Florida Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. For more information about the READ JAX, visit readjax.org.
About The Library Foundation of Jacksonville
The mission of the Library Foundation of Jacksonville is to inspire, advocate, and grow philanthropic support for the Jacksonville Public Library in service to lifelong learners throughout our diverse community. The Foundation—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—provides community members, corporations, and other stakeholders with opportunities to invest in the success of the Library. With private financial support, the Foundation expects to support and enhance the Library’s current funding system, not to replace the tax base and public community dollars so essential to the core of the Library mission. Managed by the Board of Directors, the Foundation is wholly independent of the City of Jacksonville, the Library, and the Library Board of Trustees. To learn more call 904-255-6192 or visit www.lfjax.org.
