Adult Programs

Jacksonville Public Library is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. Please note: Because the Main Library will not be closing as usual at 6 p.m. on September 28 and October 12, Holocaust program attendees will have an extra 30 minutes to browse the exhibit or check out books from the Holocaust Collection between 6 - 6:30 p.m. However, the Library will close promptly at 8 p.m. So, there will be no time to browse the exhibit after the program.

You probably already know and love Firekeeper's Daughter - the "Indigenous Nancy Drew thriller" novel that set the world (and BookTok) ablaze. Not only was it a Reese's Book Club YA Pick and a TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time Selection... It's getting adapted for TV at Netflix! But did you know Angeline Boulley has a new, bestselling follow-up to her breakaway debut hit? Join us for a trhilling Teen Lit Chat interview with Angeline Boulley on Saturday, September 23 during Jax Book Fest!

It's almost September, which means -- it's practically Halloween. We're also just weeks away from the return of Jax Book Fest at the Main Library! This year, our headliner is none other than Joe Hill! Many will know him from his many spine-tingling, bone-chilling horror novels like NOS4A2 (or the AMC series of the same name) or the big-screen adaptations of his work. Comic fans know him as the co-creator of the Eisner Award-winning series Locke & Key (now streaming on Netflix). Whatever you know him from... nothing beats getting to pick his brain, in person, at your local library!

Are you an aspiring author? Have you ever wanted to see your own book on the library's shelves? Join us Friday, September 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Main Library for FREE writing and publishing workshops, networking with local authors, and more!

The big names headlining Jax Book Fest were all little names, once, which is why we’re always delighted to spotlight our local up-and-coming authors! Newly award-winning author Sohrab Homi Fracis kicks off our Book Fest week with an interview about his latest book and what it means to be a writer today.

Jacksonville Public Library is one of 50 U.S. libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibition runs from September 6 – October 12, 2023, at the Main Library. In addition to free, docent-led tours of the exhibit, there will be several public programs offred in connection to the exhibition at the Main Library including a special Screening Room program and discussion at your Southeast Regional and Mandarin Branch Library locations. 

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! 

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.

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.