Mayor Donna Deegan

We may not get much snow here on the First Coast, but that doesn't mean you can't still dream about snowy winter fun! Do you wanna build a snowman with your favorite Disney character? Do you wish you and your kids could sled down the side of a big hill? Have a snowball fight? Choose your winter adventure at the Library! 

Each November, we take the time to honor and celebrate the enduring beauty and significance of picture books. This initiative reminds us of the power they hold in fostering literacy and imagination in readers of all ages. Join us as we explore the art of storytelling and the spark of joy that picture books bring to our lives.

National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of Hispanic heritage and traditions rooted in all Latin American countries. The celebration begins in the middle of September to coincide with independence days in several Latin American countries and ends on October 15.

At Jacksonville Public Library, we celebrate book lovers every day! Not only do we have all the best books - available in hardcover, paperback, large print, and audiobook formats - but you also have access to digital formats through Libby, hoopla, Tumblebook, and Biblioboard Library. We also have a year-round reading challenge for adults designed to expand your reading horizons and we participate in Mayor Deegan's River City Readers city-wide literacy challenge. If you want to interact with other book lovers outside of big events like Jax Book Fest, you can also join a Library Book Club and get even more book recommendations from readers just like you! 

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!

There are so many traditions when it comes to the Fourth of July. Why not create a new one by adding a few books to your day with family wherever you may find yourself? At Jacksonville Public Library we have a variety of books you can choose from chosen by our awesome librarians! You'll be sure to find something you love to read with your little ones.

This month, we've put together a list of books by and about Muslim Americans. These books are available in multiple formats and cover various topics, from history and biography to fiction and poetry. 

Preserving Remembered Moments: The Memory Lab Exhibit at Duval County Courthouse

June is African American Music Appreciation Month! Created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, this month celebrates the African American musical influences. Formerly called National Black Music Month, this celebration of African American musical contributions is re-established annually by presidential proclamation.

Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers is a citywide literacy challenge for students of all ages. Challenge participants are asked to read 20 minutes a day and to log their reading in Beanstack, a popular reading challenge app. Readers are rewarded with digital badges for logging multiple days in a row and for completing other reading-related activities. At the end of the year, the city’s top young readers are given prizes!