Adult Programs 2023

Join us for a lively, wide-ranging discussion about Jacksonville's history and architecture, highlighting Wayne's new "Bicentennial Edition" of his local classic book, Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage, as well as several of his previous books. Interviewed by Dr. Tim Gilmore, a colorful and prolific author in his own right, Wayne will present little-known facts about Jacksonville's buildings and will discuss his all-time favorite landmarks in the city.

The Florida Author Project contest just kicked off on April 1, 2023, and submissions are being accepted through May 31, 2023. Submit your indie-published Adult Fiction or Young Adult Fiction ebook for a chance to win $1000!

Aaron Woodson is a Florida-based military combat veteran who has served in the US Air Force and US Air National Guard for over 15 years. He began his military career participating in military campaigns such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. At a very young age, Aaron began to nurture an interest in and passion for poetry. He began to write poems at school and his love for writing grew so deep that he told his parents that someday he would publish his own book. Having moved to Jacksonville in 2016, he decided to finish up his now-completed book, The Face of Expression, a poetry book that fuses story-telling and non-fiction clips into it.

Ready to write a book, if you could just figure out what to write about? You’re not alone! Join us for a writing workshop all about how to generate ideas and turn them into something you can write about!

April is National Poetry Month and we are featuring two awesome local poets in our Lit Chat Interview Series. It’s also a great month for Great Decisions, our film and discussion group about current events. And this month we welcome a new book club with a fantastic name – Shelf Conscious Book Club at Maxville! Check out all of our great adult programs happening this month!

Learn all about container gardening (with native plants) and other habits of highly successful gardeners with help from 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 on the Library U enrollment page!

March 27 - April 1 is Celebrate Reading Week in Jacksonville! The Jacksonville Public Library is partnering with the Kids Hope Alliance, Duval County Public Schools, READ USA, and several other organizations to showcase the power of reading for kids around the city.

You know the power of a good book. And if you're a parent, you know that it's important for your kids to see you reading for enjoyment. But as adults, we're all reading role models! The more we use the Library, talk about books, and attend awesome author events and book signings, the more literate (and well-read) Jacksonville becomes.

That's why we hope you'll celebrate reading with your community at a special event with bestselling author Tommy Orange!

As a writer, you've probably been told — time and again — that to grow your craft and become a better writer, you must read widely and often. That's why you got a library card, took the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge and joined a Library Book Club. Now what?

That's where Writer's Lab comes in!

Take your writing to the next level at a writing workshop with Jennifer Wolfe of Women Writing for (a) Change on March 25 at the Brown Eastside Branch Library! She'll show you how you can use your love of books to fuel your writing.

This March, hear about a fascinating and influential (but relatively unknown) figure in Women's History, learn how the group Women Writing for (a) Change takes inspiration and writing techniques from their favorite books at our next Writer's Lab Workshop and join a discussion group on US foreign policy with topics that affect women and girls here in America and around the world!

Spring is almost here! Make sure your garden's ready with help from 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 on the Library U enrollment page!