# Fun Shows, Hands-On Activities & More
This summer, embark on a journey of art and creativity, read fantastic stories, and celebrate all of the ways art enriches our lives. From June 2 through August 2, visit your favorite Jacksonville Public Library location and take part in fun, hands-on art and STEM labs, live guest performances, drop-in activities, reading challenges, and so much more. Of course, there are also storytimes for the little ones and plenty of author talks, writer's workshops and more for adults.
It's all 100% FREE, all summer long!
Add a FREE Book to Your Home Library
Drop in for fun parties at your local library June 2 through June 7 to celebrate the kick-off of summer reading, learning and fun! In addition to all of the fabulous books you can borrow, every kid and teen in attendance will get to choose one FREE prize book for their home libraries (while supplies last). It's all thanks to Tenikka's Books for Kids (annual book drive), the Library Foundation of Jacksonville, the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and everyone who donated and made this possible.
Earn More FREE Books
Don't forget to pick up your 2025 Summer Reading Tracker at a Drop-In Summer Kick-Off Party or on your next visit! Read for at least 20 minutes per day for 20 days and return your tracker(s) to the Library by August 2 to earn up to two more prize books!
Not sure where to start? Visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/suggestions.
Other Prizes
Many locations will host Scavenger Hunts or give out Bingo Cards that, when completed, reward participants with a variety of goodies. Prizes and incentives will vary by location. Please ask your neighborhood librarian for more details.
Note: Some library branches have partnered with a local business or have received gifts from their Friends of the Library Group or other local nonprofit organization. It's all to encourage kids to read, learn and use their Library throughout the summer and into the next school year!
Find Programs, Activities, and Resources For Your Age Group:
# Featured Program
# Special Guest Performances
Ready for something magical, inspiring, and a whole lot of fun? Live from the Library is a series of engaging and educational performances - happening all summer long at your local libraries! Designed for children ages 5-12 and their families, you'll meet and learn from exciting musicians, clever scientists, caring animal handlers, crafty magicians, and more!
Please note: Attendance is limited and is first-come, first-served. Please arrive early. Check-in starts 30 minutes prior to the start of the program.
# More FREE Programs & Activities
Don't miss out. Be the first to know about programs and events!
Join the Mayor's Reading Challenge
You'll also find great book recommendations and reading-related challenges when you download Beanstack and sign up for Mayor Deegan's River City Readers citywide literacy challenge! With the Beanstack app, it's easier than ever before to keep track of your reading. All you have to do is read at least 20 minutes per day and log those reading minutes online. You'll be awarded digital badges for logging multiple days in a row and for completing other reading-related activities. At the end of the year, the city’s top young readers will be given prizes!
Getting Started
- Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Download and open the Beanstack Tracker app.
- Choose At my library, school or bookstore.
- Using the Find a Site search bar, type Jax Library or River City Readers
- Select Jax Library River City Readers (FL).
Read 20 Minutes Per Day
Jacksonville Public Library is a proud member of ReadJax, a community effort to improve third-grade reading outcomes. Throughout the summer, you'll find great, themed books on display and hear amazing stories of adventure at storytimes and other library programs (for all ages)! We’ve also adopted the slogan "Twenty Minutes a Day Paves the Way" because research has shown that reading (and being read to) just 20 minutes a day can:
- Provide time for parents and caregivers to bond with children
- Expose children to as many 1.8 million words per year
- Help students reach the 90th percentile on standardized tests
- Prepare pre-kindergartners for school
Looking for Book Recommendations?
Check the Kids and Teens pages for the newest releases or pick a book from one of the many themed book displays you'll find at your library. If you don't have time to browse, you can also:
- Visit jaxlibrary.org/suggestions
- Request your own Personalized Booklist from Library staff
- Get the hottest titles in your favorite genres sent right to your inbox with The Book Hook Up
- Join our Jax Stacks year-round reading challenge for adults
The Digital Library is Always Open
As a card-carrying member of Jacksonville Public Library, you have nearly instant access to a ton of FREE movies, music, magazines, and so much more. You can download these apps for your phone, tablet or in some cases, even your TV. You can use them pretty much anywhere, anytime you want - 24 hours a day, seven days a week! So, you never have to worry about whether library hours and your work schedule line up.
Featured App
With Libby by OverDrive, you can have 10 borrowed titles at a time and have 10 holds at a time with no monthly limits. Read and listen online, in a browser. Or, download to your Kindle (or other e-reader). It's great for e-Books, e-Audiobooks, and Magazines. Note: For kids and teens content, check out the Kids or Teens eReading Rooms.
Click here for more tips on using the Digital Library.
