Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

A Lit Chat Interview with Camille Dungy

Jacksonville Public Library and St. Johns Riverkeeper are partnering up to bring you two great events with author and poet Camille Dungy on Saturday, June 24. In her newest book, Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden Dungy recounts the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden in the predominately white community of Fort Collins, Colorado. When she moved there in 2013, with her husband and daughter, the community held strict restrictions about what residents could and could not plant in their gardens.

Books for Dads and Future Fathers

Even dads like getting lost in a good book! At the Library, you'll find everything from thrillers like Harlen Coben's I Will Find You to classics like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or even post-apocalyptic masterpieces like The Road from the late, great Cormac McCarthy. So, whether you're a dad yourself or just thinking about parenthood and the life lessons your father taught you... You'll find stories of strong fathers, patience, pride and more -right here at the Library.

Books to Honor and Celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth has been celebrated by African Americans since the 1800s and became a federal holiday in 2021. It is a combination of June and nineteenth and is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas. If you're still somewhat new to Juneteenth celebrations or you'd like to share the history with your children, the Library has books to help you out! Check out our book recommendations to learn more about the history of this holiday and the ways it's traditionally celebrated.

Books and More for Sale at the Friends of Murray Hill Pop-up Sale

Friends of the Murray Hill Library book sale on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 4 pm.

Join the Friends of the Murray Hill Library for a book sale! The Friends will be selling gently used materials on Saturday, June 17, from 1 - 4 p.m. Find some great books and great deals too! The sale is open to all. While membership is not required, it is encouraged and appreciated.

Dungeon Master Summer Academy for Teens

Wanted: Teen Adventurers (ages 12-17) Dungeon Master Summer Academy

Ever wanted to run your own Dungeon & Dragons adventures? Learn how to write, craft, and play in a world of your own making! Join us in the Teen Room at the Main Library on select Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays June 5 - July 12 for drop-in crafts, one-shot writing clinics, session zero prep and more at a DM Summer Academy just for teens (ages 12-18). If you're still new to D&D or just have no interest in running games, you can still stop by on Drop-In D&D days to play and give our DMs-in-training some practice!

Junior Lit Chat with Andrea Davis Pinkney

Andrea Davis Pinkney is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of nearly 50 books for young readers, among them The Red Pencil and A Poem for Peter, as well as several collaborations with her husband Brian Pinkney, including Sit-In and Hand in Hand, which received the Coretta Scott King Book Award. Join us for a Junior Lit Chat with Andrea Davis Pinkney, Friday, June 16, from 4:30-5 p.m. live at the Brentwood Library. Intended for kids, ages 5-12. The first 50 kids in attendance will get a FREE copy of A Poem for Peter to take home. A reception and book signing will follow.

We Are Open for Art Walk: June 7 at the Main Library

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library is directly across from James Weldon Johnson Park, from one of Art Walk's three major hubs of activity. We host student art shows, teen open mic nights and more! Plus, it's the perfect time to take a self-guided tour of murals, maps and public art found throughout your library headquarters.

Books to Celebrate Rainbow Book Month

The Library has an AMAZING collection of books featuring stories and information written by and about people from varied backgrounds, races, ethnicities, life experiences, and viewpoints. We love to share selections that demonstrate the range of our collection all year and we encourage you to explore these books with us! This month, we are highlighting activities and books in our collection by and about people in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Lit Chat and Writer's Lab with NYT Bestselling Author Susan Orlean

New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean joins us at the Main Library in June for two days of bookish excitement! Readers can check out our Lit Chat Interview with her on Friday evening, and writers can attend a Writer’s Lab workshop on Saturday morning. We’d love to see you at both!

Book Sales Galore in the Mandarin Neighborhood

Book sale presented by the Friends of the Library. Find a great read while supporting the Jacksonville Public Library.

Both Friends of the Library groups in the Mandarin neighborhood are excited to host their summer used book sales that start in early June. The Friends of South Mandarin Library's book sale will be on June 1-3 and will be located at 12125 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223. The Friends of Mandarin Library will host their book sale on June 2-3 at 3330 Kori Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257.