#Friends of the Library Appreciation Week
At several Jacksonville Public Library locations, there are dedicated volunteers working long hours to raise money through book sales, engage in advocacy, and plan pro-literacy events – all for the betterment of the Library and community. We call these volunteers and the groups they are a part of "Friends of the Library." These Friends groups understand the critical importance of libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the resources it needs to provide an expansive collection and a wide variety of services to all ages.
In addition to financial support, the Friends generously donate in-kind supplies and refreshments to support various youth and adult activities, lead and contribute to the landscaping and beautification efforts at several branches, and sponsor multiple pro-literacy events for the community, such as the James Weldon Johnson Young Writers Festival.
During National Friends of Library Appreciation Week (October 15 - 21), we celebrate our amazing Friends and thank them for their passion and dedication to ensuring the Jacksonville Public Library remains a cornerstone of the community! We also like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who wants to make a difference in their own corner of Jacksonville to consider joining one or more of our Friends of the Library groups. You'll find the full list of groups below.
Upcoming Friends Book Sales and Events
Join us at one or more of these upcoming events to find out how the Friends support the Jacksonville Public Library every day:
- Lit Chat with Author Mark Woods (sponsored by the Friends of Mandarin Library)
- Tuesday, October 10, from 6 - 7 p.m.
- Stay after the program for the Friends 5th Anniversary Reception from 7 - 7:30 p.m.
- Friends of the Bradham & Brooks Library Book Sale
- October 13 & 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Lit Chat with Author Cat Sebastian (sponsored by the Friends of Willowbranch Library)
- Tuesday, October 17, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m
- Join us before the program for a Reception with the Friends from 6 - 6:30 p.m.
- Friends of the Beaches Branch Library Book Sale
- October 17, 4 - 7 p.m., and
- October 18-21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Friends of the Brentwood Library Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
- October 28, 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Friends of the Murray Hill Library Book Sale
- November 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Big Bag Sale
- November 16-17, 4 - 8 p.m., and
- November 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
#Learn More About Our Friends
Check out the list below of all of our various Friends of the Library groups:
- Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library
- Friends of the Beaches Branch Library
- Friends of the Willowbranch Library
- Friends of the Bradham & Brooks Library
- Friends of the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library
- Friends of the South Mandarin Branch Library
- Friends of the Brentwood Branch Library
- Friends of the Maxville Branch Library
- Friends of the Mandarin Library
