Jacksonville Public Library Blog

Join a Library Book Club in 2025 + Jax Stacks Reading Challenge

Are you signing up for the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge in 2025? We've got 16 brand-new challenge categories. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new or cross a book you've been meaning to read off your to-be-read list! Just make sure it fits one of the categories! The challenge is simple: You pick the 12 categories that interest you most and just start reading. Of course, one of those categories is "A book read by a Library Book Club in 2025." So, just by joining one of these groups, you're already 1/12 of the way to completing this challenge!

Register for Gardening and Genealogy Workshops, FREE at the Library!

Learn how to grow your own garden or small business and take control of your health, career, and personal finances with free workshops at the Library! Life Lab programs are offered by trained professionals and aimed at improving your day-to-day life.

Forward Thinking: San Marco Branch Library's 75th Anniversary

Jacksonville Public Library is commemorating the 75th anniversary of San Marco Branch Library with a series of public programs focused on the past, present and future of the neighborhood. This year-long celebration of the San Marco community, its residents and their library officially kicks off this January!

Free Winter Break Activities for Kids Including Live from the Library

The kids are home from school, family is in town to visit and you need something fun for the whole family to do (or maybe just a quiet place to escape). Look no further than the Library for great ideas during your winter break! Make plans to read, play, create, and have fun with us at the library this holiday season.

Appearing Live from the Library this December and January!

Join us Live from the Library this Winter Break for special guests and fun performances for children (ages 5-12) and their families.

Winter Adventure Books for Kids + Free Winter Break Activities

We may not get much snow here on the First Coast, but that doesn't mean you can't still dream about snowy winter fun! Do you wanna build a snowman with your favorite Disney character? Do you wish you and your kids could sled down the side of a big hill? Have a snowball fight? Choose your winter adventure at the Library!

Holiday Art Walk: Join Us in the Main Library After the Tree Lighting

Celebrate our community's deep pool of creative talent with us on the first Wednesday of each month in Downtown Jacksonville! The Main Library stays open until 9 p.m. for the festivities! This month, join us after the tree lighting ceremony and check out local art in the first and third floor galleries, join the zinesters meeting and collaborating in the Zine Zone, or sign up for a 20-minute art tour.

Free Gardening & Business Workshops at Your Library this December

Authors, Books, Writing Programs and More for Adults this December

The writer/editor relationship can be a bountifully productive, creative collaboration. It can also leave both parties frustrated with each other and the resulting manuscript. Join us as we expel some myths about the author/editor relationship and expand your publishing knowhow with author/editor Jessica Hatch at our next Writer's Lab workshop! Or, meet local civil rights activist and author, Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. and hear about his latest book, Black and Brilliant.

Holiday Feasts and Treats Cookbooks

The holiday season is here... and with it, hearty Thanksgiving feasts and other tasty holiday treats! Whatever you're celebrating and wherever you're starting on your cooking journey, we've got some great cookbooks to guide new cooks and to inspire "seasoned" pros. Whether you're looking for a new cookie recipe to wow your family and friends or you're on the hunt for a cookbook that really gets into the "meat" of turkey prep... You'll find tons of great cookbooks on the shelves or even on digital library apps like hoopla Digital and Libby by Overdrive!