teen programs

Morally gray Black witches. Sisterhood. Politics and rebellion. The Poisons We Drink is a potent YA debut from Jacksonville's own Bethany Baptiste... about a world where love potions are weaponized against hate and prejudice, sisterhood is unbreakable, and self-love is life and death. Join the Teen Lit Chat Interview this March. A limited number of copies of the book will be given away to participants (first come, first served).

Cookies and creativity will clash this February! Battle Royale is back for another batch! This semi-annual Dessert Decorating Showdown returns to take over Teen Advisory Board February 12 - 23. Are you up for the challenge?

Scare up some friends (ages 12-17) and join us for budget-friendly costume tips, practice with special effects makeup, spooky book recommendations, themed games, treats, and more!

It's a complete takeover of the Teen Advisory Board from October 23 through November 3!

Halloween is almost here! Before you know it, the ghosts and goblins will be showing up at your doorstep, with trick-or-treat bags in hand! It can be a fun time for horror fans and pranksters alike. And we can't forget about all of the yummy fall treats like pumpkin pie, caramel apples and free, full-sized candy bars from your favorite neighbor down the street! But with all of the masks and monster makeup, strange noises and zombie movies... It can also be a scary time for kids. While it can definitely be fun to be scared... Sometimes you want a not-so-scary alternative! And the Library has plenty of both! 

Feeling creative? Want to make an impact? Draw, paint, collage or create a square piece of art expressing your thoughts about censorship, book challenges, and the freedom to read. Join us at Teen Advisory Board or scan and email your entry to JPLYouthservices@coj.net September 25 - October 6.

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!

Earning a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction, We Were Liars was the "sophisticated" suspense novel that took the world by storm in 2014. Now, after nine years, E. Lockhart returns to her New York Times bestselling phenomenon with a thrilling prequel that's just as scandalous and riddled with lies as the first! The Family of Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.

Meet the author and score your own, free copy of the brand-new book!

Someone’s been poisoned, and world-class teen sleuths Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys need your help! Join up with other amateur crime solvers across various branches of the Jacksonville Public Library for an immersive detective experience, where you’ll examine evidence from the scene of the crime to figure out whodunnit before they strike again. As with every great mystery, come expecting a few surprises! To participate, join us at Teen Advisory Board May 8-19!

November is International Games Month, a celebration of games and gaming culture in libraries around the world. It’s also the perfect opportunity for libraries, like ours, to showcase their game collections and related programs and activities like our Drop-In Dungeons & Dragons!

Cakes, cookies and creativity will clash this December in Batter Royale — the Library's first-ever Dessert Decorating Challenge run by teens, for teens! Want to be the next cake boss? Looking for something fun to do with friends over the winter holiday? Want a greater voice in what kinds of programs are offered at the library? It's time to BAKE IT HAPPEN. Join us at Teen Advisory Board. You could even earn volunteer hours!