Jacksonville Public Library Blog 2023 Archive

Celebrating Black History and Imagining a Better Future

Black History Month is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of Black individuals and a reminder to us all that to learn from and about our history. Black Futures Month takes a forward-looking spin, focusing on uplifting contemporary Black creators and leaders and the ongoing work of racial justice. Both are observed in February. Throughout the month, the Library will highlight books in our collection by and about people in the African American community. Check a few of these out below and join us at one of our Kids and Teens programs, with themes and stories in celebration of Black History (and Black Futures) Month.

Jax Stacks Book Recommendations: A book in a genre you don't usually read

Welcome to the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge! This year 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. Check our blog every month for a new round of ideas, and feel free to share your progress and recommendations on social media using #jaxstacks.

Make Your Own Film Festival

The Main Library will be one of the venues for the Jacksonville Film Festival this year, February 3 - 5, 2023. We asked some Library customers what their favorite film from the Library's collection is, and why they would recommend it to others. They offered some excellent suggestions, so we thought we'd share them with you so you could have your own little film festival whenever you like.

Join a History Chat, Author Talk or Editing Workshop this February

There are many book-related holidays, but the one that’s close to our hearts happens in February. That’s right, we’re talking about Library Lovers’ Month, an annual celebration of libraries (and the bookworms who frequent them).

We're showing our amazing adult customers some appreciation with these exciting programs!

Meet an Award-Winning Author of 45 Nonfiction Books for Kids

Sticky feet that climb anything. Trunk-like robotic arms. Super-sensitive hearing. What is this? Some kind of new superhero? No! These are all examples of REAL technology made with bionics/biomimicry. In this fun and interactive presentation by children’s science author Jennifer Swanson, you will get an inside look at many awesome inventions being created by engineers right now! Be one of the first 30 children at the event and receive a FREE copy of Beastly Bionics to keep!

Read Survivor Stories This Holocaust Remembrance Day

Six million Jewish people were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during the Second World War, along with millions from other persecuted groups. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is dedicated to keeping the memory of this horrific loss of human life alive and to shine a light on the dangers of failing to learn from history. It is observed on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Spring Gardening Tips with Life Lit

Start preparing for Spring with help from 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 on the Library U enrollment page!

Kids and Teen Books That Are Making a Big Splash!

Take a deep dive into literacy. Splash into new worlds. January 23-27

January 23-27 is Celebrate Literacy Week here in Florida. It's designed to raise awareness about the importance of reading and to inspire Florida's students and families to make reading part of their daily routines. To celebrate, Jacksonville Public Library is showcasing some of the most talked about and checked-out books of 2022!

Join a Book Club this Library Lover's Month

Join a Book Club at Jacksonville Public Library

Whether you're looking for Romance... or a little Mystery, the library can help you find your perfect literary match! Join us and other book lovers at one of our 15 Book Clubs this February and talk Thrillers, Memoirs, Tartan Noir, and so much more!

Books to Celebrate the Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year. Image shows a white rabbit jumping across a red background filled with stylized flowers.

This weekend, billions of people around the world will celebrate the Lunar New Year. Does your family celebrate? Perhaps you're simply curious about the customs and rituals surrounding it? There's nothing quite like the famous Dragon Dance, after all!