#Fun Shows, Hands-On Activities, Books & More!
Follow along for a summer of reading, learning and fun at your Jacksonville Public Library! From June 1 through August 12, residents of all ages will be able to participate at their favorite library location (and even at home) with fun and educational programs, weekly drop-in activities, reading and other book-related challenges, scavenger hunts, and more! It's all FREE, all summer long!
#Get Your Summer Prize Books (While Supplies Last)!
Be sure to join us at a Drop-In Summer Kick-Off Party (happening at all 21 library locations, June 1-9) to get a FREE book to start building your own home library! Thanks to Tenikka's Books for Kids annual book drive as well as generous donations from the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and others, you'll be able to choose between everything from board books and picture books for the littlest readers to chapter books and graphic novels for teens. Not only that, you can pick up another FREE book at your end-of-the-summer Drop-In Summer Closing Party (August 7-12).
#Find Programs, Activities, and Resources For Your Age Group:
#Want an Extra Challenge (and the Chance to Win More Prizes)?
Pick up a Bingo Card or Summer Passport at your Library anytime during the summer. Then, check off a square or add an activity badge for things like: picking up an Art Kit, checking out an e-book, attending a program, or getting a book recommendation from a librarian! Return your completed Bingo Cards and Summer Passports (before August 12) for fun prizes and incentives.
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#Your Library is Your New Favorite Performance Venue
Is there anything more magical than getting lost in a good book? Well, maybe an actual magician! Live from the Library brings entertaining and educational performers – including musicians, animal handlers, dancers and yes, even magicians! – to showcase their talents for children ages 5 to 12 and their families.
#Find Events Near You!
#Literacy Does Not Take a Summer Break
We know the importance of reading and how it can set children on the path to success. Studies show that kids can lose significant knowledge in reading and math over summer break without opportunities to maintain some basic literacy skills.
That is why Jacksonville Public Library is a proud member of ReadJax, a community effort to improve third-grade reading outcomes. 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
- Improve listening skills
- Prepare pre-kindergartners for school
- Improve your child's earning potential later in life
- Lead to healthier lives.
Learn more about JaxKids Book Club, Little Readers storytimes,Traveling Tales and other programs for Pre-K friends and families over on our blog.
For elementary-age students, check out STEAM & Stories, a new program (for ages 5-12) that pairs reading with hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math activities!
Throughout the summer, you'll find great, themed books on display and hear amazing stories of kindness, friendship and unity at storytimes and other library programs (for all ages)! You can also find themed booklists on our blog.
#Want More Book Recommendations?
If you don't have time to browse, you can always:
- Request a Personalized Booklist from Library staff
- Get the hottest titles in your favorite genres sent right to your inbox with The Book Hookup
- Try Get Lit, our FREE Teen Library Book Subscription Service (and swag bag)
For adults, we're continuing our Jax Stacks year-round reading challenge! Not only that, more prizes (including Jax Stacks branded tumblers and sunglasses) are on the way! So, summer is a great time to start or complete those Jax Stacks bookmarks! There are also monthly Jax Stacks book recommendations and a Book Club to help you out.
#Keep Young Minds Active All Summer Long
Looking for more ideas? Sign up for our Library Academy email newsletters.
Not only will you get reminders about upcoming library programs, you'll also receive age-appropriate book recommendations and tips for talking about books. Plus, there are fun craft ideas, games and other at-home activities that you can do as a family.
