Contacts: Chris Boivin, (904) 255-6106
Cell: (904) 759-5643; Email: cboivin@coj.net
Community Encourages to Visit Jacksonville Public Library to Show Its Love
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 13, 2024 — "Library Lover's Day on February 14th celebrates the profound impact of libraries worldwide, acknowledging the invaluable role they play in enriching communities and transforming lives through access to knowledge, books, and resources," reads the proclamation signed by Mayor Donna Deegan, reminding Duval County residents that February 14 is not just reserved for Valentine's Day, but also as a day to show appreciation for libraries.
Jacksonville Public Library's staff welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors in 2023, helping Jaxsons of all age discover books, learn things to help them solve problems, search for jobs, grow small businesses, travel to faraway lands, worlds, and universes, and be a part of their community.
"In feedback from library customers, people used the word 'love' more than 2,200 times over the past three years," reported Tim Rogers, Chief Librarian and Library Director. "From a staff member finding someone that book they've been searching for forever, to the child who gets on their feet and dances during storytime, to the adult learner who earns their diploma so they can pursue their true passion in life and provide for their family, there's stories of love throughout the library. We want everyone in Jacksonville to experience that feeling, and we believe it's waiting for them here at the Library."
The Library and City also encourage everyone to join Mayor Deegan's River City Reader's Challenge. Improving literacy rates is a top priority for Mayor Deegan, so she is banding the city together to ensure children can read at grade level by third grade. All Duval residents can download the Beanstack app, track their reading, earn badges and prizes, and prioritize liIteracy by modeling good reading behavior.
Library cardholders can show love during the week by attending one or more of 150 free events across the library system including the following.
- Romance fans will be delighted to hear international bestselling author Emily Rath's Lit Chat Tuesday, February 13 at 7 p.m. at Southeast Regional Library,
- Anyone who always wanted to get their romance novel idea in print can't miss local bestselling author Jessica Hatch's Writer's Lab "Not Your Mama's Romance Novel" on Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Pablo Creek Regional Library (13295 Beach Blvd.), and
- Kids and families can make a book collage at a Library Lover's Day craft event on Saturday, February 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Branch Library (3725 N. Pearl St.)
For a list of books made for library-loving adults, teens, or kids, check out our Library Lover's Day blog post.
Visit jaxpubliclibrary.org for more information on registering for events.
Visit jacksonville.gov/rivercityreaders for more information on Mayor Deegan's River City Readers Challenge.
# 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.
