Sheila Athens writes smart contemporary fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world.
Are you ready for Jax Book Fest 2024? Jacksonville Public Library’s signature literary event, it brings book lovers of all ages together to meet their favorite bestselling authors and to discover up-and-coming local authors from right here in Florida. The event returns September 20-21 at the Main Library with Lit Chat author programs featuring three #1 New York Times bestselling authors, several free writing workshops, 70+ local authors, entertainment for kids, a showcase of teen writers, giveaways, and so much more!
Hey, Book Club fans: We've got some exciting news from the Library Foundation of Jacksonville! Members of library and community book clubs throughout Duval County are invited to a first-of-its-kind event with New York Times and international bestselling author Madeline Martin on Saturday, October 19 from 1-4 p.m. in the Conference Center at Main Library.
Recently, Historic Eastside neighborhood was added to the Florida Main Street Program. This September, a panel of community leaders will meet at the Main Library to discuss what this means for the historic African American community and what's next in its rich history. This program was made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.
New name... same great series! Learn how to grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances with free workshops at the Library! Life Lab programs are offered by trained professionals and aimed at improving your day-to-day life. No need to bring anything but yourself to participate!
Chef Kenny Gilbert is best known for his appearance on “Top Chef” Season seven, where he displayed a big personality and instantly became one of the most likable "cheftestants" to date. He is also the author of the new cookbook, Southern Cooking, Global Flavors (2023), which includes international variations of over 100 iconic Southern dishes.
This month, we've got local restaurateur, Kenny Gilbert talking all things cooking and cookbooks, Life Lab gardening and civic literacy workshops, and a "Pop-Up" Writer's Lab for authors looking to "Polish Your Pitch." Keep reading to learn more!
August is back-to-school month here in Florida. Learning isn't just for the littles, though! As a small business owner or someone who's thinking about starting a small business, there are things you need to know, too! The public library is a great place to learn. Can't afford a college course? No problem! The best back-to-school supply that you or your kids could want is a Jacksonville Public Library card. Bonus: you don't have to wait for a tax-free holiday to pick one up! They're always free!
The use of zip codes as we know them started on July 1, 1963. Why is this string of numbers important to your business? The Library has many free tools like Data Axle Reference Solutions to help you with demographic research, small business marketing, and more. Read this month's Small Business & Side Hustles newsletter to learn how to conduct your own market research!
Summer may be winding down, but our Library Book Clubs keep heating up with the best book recommendations and discussions! And if you can't get enough reading and recommendations: There's also still plenty of time to finish the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge and pick up a few books from one of the three #1 New York Times bestselling authors who'll be headlining Jax Book Fest 2024.
