Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

Where to Find Comics and Graphic Novels in the Library

Graphic Novels Month

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!

Hot Deals at the Friends' Big Bag Book Sale

Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library's Big Bag Book Sale on July 20 through 22 at the University Park Library.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library's (FJPL) Big Bag Book Sale will be back on July 20-22 with fabulous deals on books, movies, audiobooks, records, jigsaw puzzles, and more.

We Are Open for Gamers: July Art Walk at the Main Library

We Are Open for Art Walk

Teens: Did you miss any of our Dungeon Master Summer Academy craft activities like DIY Dungeon Tiles or Fantasy Maps? Join us Wednesday, July 5 during Art Walk from 5 - 8 p.m. for a night of makeup D&D crafts and writing D&D adventures while watching the new film: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves! Plus, the Main Library has two current art exhibits and more drop-in activities!

Fourth of July Books for Kids

Books to Celebrate July 4

How does your family celebrate our nation's independence? Maybe you wake up early on the Fourth of July to bake that all-American apple pie? Or do you spend the whole morning preparing for that big barbeque in the backyard or picnic in the park? Of course, there are also parades and fireworks and all sorts of fun traditions! The Library has books (for all ages) that reflect the grand diversity and the rich tapestry that make our country and our community here in Jacksonville so great. We've highlighted a few of those books (for young readers) here!

Jax Stacks Book Recommendations: A Book by a 2023 Lit Chat Author

Jax Stacks Reading Challenge 2023

Welcome to a new month of the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge! We are going to give you suggestions for each* category in the challenge every month so that you always have a great library book waiting for you when you need it. Plus, you can share what you're reading with other Jax Stacks readers at our monthly Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Book Club. Note: Our July meeting takes place at the Southeast Regional Library!

Adult Programs this July: Authors, Book Clubs, History Chats and More!

Adult Programs

We are really excited to bring a different kind of Writer’s Lab to the Library this month – a three-hour workshop on creating a Dungeons & Dragons campaign with a Wizards of the Coast employee! We also have great summery Lit Chats, gardening workshops for everyone, and 16 book clubs to check out. And, of course, the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge continues (with new prizes up for grabs)!

Lit Chat with Beatriz Williams for Historical Fiction Lovers

Lit Chat Interview with Beatriz Williams

Are you a fan of historical fiction? Then you'll want to register for our next Lit Chat Interview! We are excited to announce that Beatriz Williams has made Jacksonville Public Library an official stop on her latest book tour! She's got a brand new, ravishing summer read that transports readers back to a midcentury New England in the years following the Second World War. Rich with secrets and Cold War intrigue, The Beach at Summerly "weaves two standbys of summer fiction into one escapist story," (New York Times book review).

Join us for a Life Lit Program in July!

Life Lit

Do you have questions about invasive or aggressive plants? Curious about integrating wildflowers into your landscape to help pollinators? Avoid common garden mistakes and learn how to grow a Florida-friendly yard with help from Master Gardeners and our friends at the UF Extension Office! And if you want to be the first to know about new workshops and locations, sign up for our Life Lit mailing list!

Harnessing the Power of Diversity in Small Business

Small Business and Side Hustles Library U newsletter

Is 2023 the year you... Make your hobby a side hustle? Start your own business? Or work on taking your business to the next level? This month is all about building and leading a diverse team and harnessing the strengths of being an outsider. We asked a local business owner a few questions. Plus, we've highlighted some books and other resources to help you out! 

Join a Library Book Club this July

Join a Book Club

Building that TBR list for an upcoming vacation? Looking for more ideas for books to read for that one elusive Jax Stacks Reading Challenge category? Join a Library Book Club and get book recommendations from librarians and other book lovers! You might even make some bookish friends you can swap titles with! 

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