Library U

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? In May, we're looking at the University of North Florida's Small Business Development Center (Florida SBDC) and the management, marketing and other assistance they provide for free to prospective and existing small business owners in North Florida. In June, they're hosting two Life Lit small business workshops at the Library!

Join us for a Lit Chat Interview with graphic novelist Leela Corman. She'll be in conversation with local podcaster Badr Milligan live at the Main Library during the second annual Duval Comic and Zine Fest on Saturday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. Corman is a founding instructor of the Sequential Artists Workshop in Gainesville, Florida, and an instructor at Rhode Island School of Design. DCAZ Fest is a celebration for self-publishing that brings together local comic and zine makers with fans of underground art, alternative press and DIY media. Chair seating will be guaranteed to those who register for the in-person program and there will also be standing room available at the event.

Join us for a panel discussion on Saturday, June 10 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. during Duval Comic and Zine Fest to discuss do-it-yourself culture and inspiration within the context of self-made media like zines, comics and printmaking.

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!

In this workshop, you will learn how to construct a query synopsis for submission to a literary agent or publishing house editor. You will leave knowing how to create a blueprint of your story with key elements of fiction revealed in a narrative format, the purpose of a novel synopsis, the components of a selling synopsis, the ideal synopsis length, and more.

May is Preservation Month, a time to celebrate and do our part to save historic places for the purpose of instilling community pride. The theme this year is “People Saving Places," a national high-five to everyone doing the great work of saving places—in ways big and small—and inspiring others to do the same. Jacksonville Public Library is kicking celebrations off with a lively, wide-ranging discussion about Jacksonville's history and architecture with Wayne Wood and Tim Gilmore on Saturday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at the Main Library.

May is a really fun time for comic book fans. The first Saturday of the month is Free Comic Book Day (at participating comic book retailers). Over 2000 stores take part annually! Of course, you can check out comics for free any day at the Library (or download them instantly on your favorite device with Hoopla)! Plus, you can meet other comic fans at Willow Branch Library for ComiClub to talk about a wide variety of comics and graphic novels. In addition to superhero comics, they also discuss horror, slice-of-life, nonfiction, and other genres! Beyond the Panel, another graphic novel book club is coming soon to Pablo Creek Library!

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? In April, we're looking at franchises. Is your business ready to expand? Or are you thinking about buying into a franchise? We have some books and other resources you should check out! 

The Florida Author Project contest just kicked off on April 1, 2023, and submissions are being accepted through May 31, 2023. Submit your indie-published Adult Fiction or Young Adult Fiction ebook for a chance to win $1000!

Ready to write a book, if you could just figure out what to write about? You’re not alone! Join us for a writing workshop all about how to generate ideas and turn them into something you can write about!