Library Academy

March 27 - April 1 is Celebrate Reading Week in Jacksonville! As an adult who loves reading, you already know the power of stories! You also know how important it is for everyone, but especially for children, to see themselves reflected in the pages of the books they read. Books can be mirrors for a child wondering where they fit in. They can also be windows, giving them a look at the lives of others. When we all have the power to tell our own stories, in our own voices, that's really something special.

Patricia J. Murphy is an award-winning children's author and a passionate literacy advocate who believes in giving children the tools they need to capture their big ideas and share them with the world.

Does your child loves singing, dancing, playing and reading?! Bring them to Klutho Park every Monday at 9:30 a.m. for a special pop-up storytime they'll be talking about all week long! We’ll read rhythmic stories together and add songs and movements to make it a wonderful time for all (even parents can get in on the fun)!

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I wish the library offered more storytime programs to fit our busy schedule"? Traveling Tales are a collection of convenient book bundles and activity kits for preschoolers, ages two to five, that you can take home! Parents, caregivers and educators: Get your preschoolers ready to read and ready for school with help from the Library! 

Join us for two weeks of back to school fun as we gear up and get excited for a new school year. In our various programs we will read stories, complete crafts, get organized, and learn mindfulness techniques to help you get ready for school! These programs are for ages 5-12 and will take the place of our regularly scheduled Junior Scientists, Junior Artists, and Junior Readers programs. You can join us either in branch or virtually. 

The kids are home from school, family is in town to visit and you need something fun for the whole family to do (or maybe just a quiet place to escape). Look no further than the Library for great ideas during your winter break! Make plans to read, play, create, and have fun with us either in branch or from the comfort of your home this holiday season.

This fall, bring the kids to the Jacksonville Public Library for an afterschool program! We have programs for kids age 5-12 happening every weekday at multiple branch locations and you can choose from an in-branch program or a virtual program! Join us for a fun and educational activity and check out some books to bring home.

Learning to write a well-crafted novel or short story can take years of practice, but an understanding of the basic techniques of storytelling can quickly flatten the learning curve. Storytelling 101 is for both beginning writers and more advanced pros looking for new insights. Award-winning author Vic DiGenti leads writers in three virtual sessions based on the popular Novel in A Day workshop designed to provide writers with the tools needed to successfully craft their own novel.

Now that the 2020 back-to-school season is here, we know that the return to school is unlike any other that has come before it for teachers, students and parents. That is why Jacksonville Public Library is here to help with activities and tips you can use to play and learn at home with your child. 

We know that the 2020 school year will be challenging for many and that there are still many uncertainties when it comes to what learning will look like this fall, but we want to help get you through it as best we can. That’s why we’re making it easy for parents and kids to supplement learning at home by utilizing our electronic resources. Below is a list of our educational resources that you can use for free from home.