Adult Programs

We are excited to announce that New York Times bestselling and National Magazine Award-winning author Morgan Jerkins will be the first featured Lit Chat author in the Library's new African American History series of community programs. The project, aimed at calling attention to and expanding the African American History Collection and Digital Community Archive, is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, is coming to Jacksonville for Hispanic Heritage Month. Her latest novel is a historical drama set in Hollywood, following three different point of view characters all tied to the production of a movie inspired by the Biblical story of Salome. She will be in conversation with author Michelle Lizet Flores on Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. at the Southeast Library.

Members of library and other community book clubs throughout Duval County are invited to a first-of-its-kind Book Club Celebration featuring New York Times and international bestselling author Madeline Martin on Saturday, October 19, from 1-4 p.m. in the Conference Center at Main Library. Of course, our free Library Book Clubs continue this October with some great book discussions. And if you can't get enough reading and recommendations: There's also still time to finish the 2024 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge!

Sheila Athens writes smart contemporary fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world.

Are you an aspiring author? Thinking about self-publishing? Need tips for marketing your work? Want to learn how to get your book on the library's shelves? Get help writing, publishing, and marketing your book with free workshops at the Library!

Hey, Book Club fans: We've got some exciting news from the Library Foundation of Jacksonville! Members of library and community book clubs throughout Duval County are invited to a first-of-its-kind event with New York Times and international bestselling author Madeline Martin on Saturday, October 19 from 1-4 p.m. in the Conference Center at Main Library.

We are pleased to welcome creative writer, scholar, oral history storyteller, and performing artist Dr. Kitty Oliver to Jax Book Fest "Writer's Day" for a thought-provoking, entertaining journey through the complexities of collecting, writing, and preserving the stories and histories of marginalized communities today. Her appearance is also part of the Library's project to grow the African American History Collection and its digital Community Archive. All are funded by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation.

In addition to her Junior Lit Chat Author Talk on Saturday, September 21, our Jax Book Fest 2024 featured children's book author, Vashti Harrison, will lead a 90-minute hands-on workshop on Friday, September 20, during "Writer's Day" for aspiring children's book authors and illustrators.  

International Book Award winner Sohrab Homi Fracis leads a special workshop for aspiring authors during Jax Book Fest "Writer's Day" on Friday, September 20, on identity and place in immigrant fiction.

Taryn "LoveReigns" Wharwood is a multifaceted creative force, renowned for her roles as a poet, writer, author, emcee, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and curator. Affectionately known as Love, she has become a catalyst for empowering performers, artists, and entertainers within her community. She joins us for "Writer's Day" at Jax Book Fest 2024 this September to share her insights into the transformative power of poetry, highlighting its ability to connect people on a deeper level and foster empathy and understanding.