Contacts: Chris Boivin, (904) 255-6106
Cell: (904) 759-5643, cboivin@coj.net
Mayor Participation in Children's Program, NYT Bestselling Author Are Among the Highlights of the Week
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 5, 2024 — Mayor Donna Deegan and Jacksonville's City Council urge everyone who lives in Duval County to use Jacksonville Public Library during National Library Week, April 7 - 13. Those who live in the county and do not already have a free library card are urged to sign up for a card at any of the Library's 21 locations or online at www.jaxpubliclibrary.org/librarycard.
"National Library Week, celebrated annually, is an occasion to recognize the invaluable role that libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives, strengthening communities, and fostering a love of learning," said Mayor Donna Deegan in her National Library Week proclamation.
Council Member Rahman Johnson shared the Library's goals for the week in a resolution he introduced in February, "The Jacksonville Public Library has set ambitious objectives, including having 25,000 individuals with library cards to borrow library materials, and bringing over 600 Duval County residents into the community of library cardholders, affirming the city's deep-seated appreciation for the dedicated staff and invaluable services of the library."
Council Members Freeman, Salem, Howland, Carlucci, Miller, and Amaro co-sponsored the resolution, approved by City Council on March 1, 2024.
Don't miss out on more than 125 events and programs for all ages throughout the Library system during National Library Week, including a Lit Chat author talk with New York Times Bestselling Author James Patterson, Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m. While the registration and waitlist are full for the in-person program at the Main Library, library cardholders can register to view the talk live online at https://jaxpubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/9923300#.
Also during the week, Mayor Deegan will attend the weekly Homeschool Science program at Regency Square Branch Library (9900 Regency Square Blvd), where she will read to children in attendance and help with a fun activity. The mayor will also talk about her River City Readers challenge and hand out books, backpacks, and more goodies at the event.
To find activities, books, e-books, digital audiobooks, streaming videos and more, visit www.jaxpubliclibrary.org.
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 2.2 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Library locations, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and over 8,000 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.
