Adult Programs 2023

Just in case your TBR pile isn't big enough: Jax Book Fest is back September 22-23 at the Main Library! Not only is this your chance to meet #1 New York Times bestselling authors Joe Hill and Angeline Boulley, but there will also be DOZENS of local authors set up throughout the Conference Level and first two floors. It's a book lover's dream! Plus, you can bring the kids to meet bestselling and award-winning author/illustrator Dan Santat - best known for The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and Disney's The Replacements. 

In the meantime, don't close the book about our Library Book Clubs! We've got some great reading recommendations this month that you're going to want to check out! 

This month, we're talking food trucks and there is no one better to answer our questions than Chef Andrew Ferenc of On The Fly Sandwiches & Stuff Food Truck. Voted "Best Food Truck" in Folio's Best of Jax poll (2012) and Jax Truckies Food Truck Champion & People's Choice Winner (2012), On The Fly Food Truck has been serving Jacksonville residents since 2011.

Library U is a collection of programs and classes for adults as well as free email newsletters that keep you connected, sharing ideas and learning. Meet and learn from published authors, master gardeners, small business experts and other curious people, just like you!

Welcome to a new month of the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge! We are going to give you suggestions for each* category in the challenge every month so that you always have a great library book waiting for you when you need it. Plus, you can share what you're reading with other Jax Stacks readers at our monthly Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Book Club. Note: Our August meeting takes place at the Southeast Regional Library!

What could happen if a wife secretly took over her husband’s presidency? Join us for Day #1 of the official, multi-state book tour for Tracey Enerson Wood’s newest book, The President’s Wife. Tracey will join us on the day of the book’s publication to talk about her writing process and her other well-loved books!

In the 1960s, the electric guitar became one of the most important instruments in popular music. Guitar gods came forth from LA, London, Chicago and Nashville. But there was another, bold southern city that arose as an unlikely incubator of talent. Learn more about the Guitar Greats of Jacksonville at Willow Branch Library on August 1 with author, musician and media scholar Michael Ray FitzGerald.

Do you have questions about how much and how often to water your garden? Want to avoid common garden mistakes or learn how to grow a completely organic garden with no harmful pesticides? Learn all the tips and tricks from Master Gardeners and our friends at the UF Extension Office! And if you want to be the first to know about new workshops and locations, sign up for our Life Lit mailing list!

Hank Phillippi Ryan has never liked surprises. She hated them so much in, fact, that long ago, she started reading the last page of books first. But even a lifetime of avoiding surprises hasn't kept her from being surprised (and often delighted) by the endings to her own books! This bestselling author knows how to craft thrilling tales that will leave you guessing until the very end... Hear her talk with one of Jacksonville's own mystery and detective novelists, Michael Wiley, about what it takes to write crime and thrillers. And join the discussion! An audience Q&A will follow the interview.

Did you know? August 9 is National Book Lovers Day! If you're looking for ways to celebrate or a few fellow bibliophiles to celebrate with: Join a Library Book Club and get book recommendations from librarians and book lovers like you! Reading doesn't have to be a solitary activity when there are book lovers all over Jacksonville!

We are excited to offer not one but two exciting Lit Chat Interviews this August! We've got a bestselling mystery/thriller novelist and a bestselling historical fiction author! There's also a History Chat exploring Jacksonville's music history and culture and a publishing workshop for all of our aspiring authors out there! We also have gardening workshops, book clubs to join and a few Jax Book Fest updates you might want to check out!