comics

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! Started in 2019 by Booklist (the American Library Association's review journal) to bring attention to and promote the growing graphic novel and comics collections in our nation’s libraries, this month-long celebration coincides with the world’s biggest fandom event, San Diego Comic Con. At Jacksonville Public Library, we celebrate graphic novels all year round! We have a monthly Comic Club (Graphic Novel Book Club) at the Willow Branch Library. Join a Library Book Club today and get even more book recommendations from readers just like you!

Whether you’re celebrating Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you!), Free Comic Book Day, attending the Beaches Library Comic Fest or just looking to revisit your favorite characters in a galaxy far, far away: the Library has the books and comics you’re looking for! Plus, hear a special message from Bo-Katan Kryze and the Armorer, who visited the Main Library back in March!

The Main Library is proud to host the third annual Duval Comic and Zine Fest in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday, June 15, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. A celebration of independent publishing featuring local creators of self-published zines, comics, alternative press, and DIY media, the event will feature over 50 tablers, a risograph printing activity, a Writer's Lab workshop, and a Lit Chat with graphic novelist Nate Powell. The event is and all programs are free to attend!

Wear your best cape and cowl (or that really cool bow tie and fez) and join us for a celebration of reading and fandom culture! Our annual Beaches Library Comic Fest returns Saturday, May 4, from 1 – 4 p.m. (Free Comic Book Day). This FAN-tastic event is sponsored by Friends of the Beaches Branch Library and features some of your favorite local cosplayers, gamers, and comic creators from the Beaches community and beyond.

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! This annual holiday was started in 2019 to highlight all of the manga, graphic novels, and comics that libraries have in their collections. Spoiler alert: it's a lot! We also use it to promote all of the fun, geeky programs and activities we offer for readers. Read on for book recommendations, program reminders and an exciting announcement!

Join us for a Lit Chat Interview with graphic novelist Leela Corman. She'll be in conversation with local podcaster Badr Milligan live at the Main Library during the second annual Duval Comic and Zine Fest on Saturday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. Corman is a founding instructor of the Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville, Florida, and an instructor at Rhode Island School of Design. DCAZ Fest is a celebration for self-publishing that brings together local comic and zine makers with fans of underground art, alternative press and DIY media. Chair seating will be guaranteed to those who register for the in-person program and there will also be standing room available at the event.

Join us for a panel discussion on Saturday, June 10 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. during Duval Comic and Zine Fest to discuss do-it-yourself culture and inspiration within the context of self-made media like zines, comics and printmaking.

Lovers of zines, comics, and podcasts will all enjoy our upcoming Lit Chat Interview with Jim Rugg, a big name in all of those fields! Jim Rugg joins us on October 22 as our headlining author for the inaugural Duval Comic and Zine Fest at the Main Library downtown. Read on for more info!

July is Graphic Novels in Libraries Month! Started in 2019 to bring attention to and promote the growing graphic novel and comics collections in our nation’s libraries, the month-long celebration coincides with the world’s biggest fandom event, San Diego Comic Con. In addition to highlighting collections and their accessibility through digital library apps like Hoopla, Graphic Novel Month is a great opportunity to show the range of formats, genres, characters and benefits that these mediums have to offer.

Free Comic Book Day, held the first Saturday in May, is great for attracting new comic book readers. It’s often cross-promoted with a new superhero film. This year, of course, it coincides with release of Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and the season finale of Moon Knight.

But what do you do when all those free comics have been given away? Get free comics at your library, of course!