Mayor Deegan's River City Readers

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions made by Jewish Americans to the fabric of our society. In honor of this month, we at the library have selected some great books that showcase Jewish Americans' rich history and culture. We hope you'll take the time this month to learn more about Jewish American heritage and the many contributions made by Jewish Americans throughout history. And if you're looking for a great book to read, check out our picks at the library.

April 22 is Earth Day! Started in 1970, the day is often celebrated via organized volunteer events with the health of our planet or our local natural resources in mind. Some folks celebrate by volunteering at a beach or river cleanup or by picking up trash in a park. Are you new to volunteering or activism? Whether you're looking for inspiration, role models, or just a place to start giving back and making a difference: the Library has you covered!

Are you looking for ways to showcase your amazing books and connect with the community? We are excited to announce our Summer Reading Kick-Off on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. This is an incredible opportunity to partner with Jacksonville Public Library, support Mayor Deegan's River City Readers citywide literacy challenge, and sell your children's books to the families in attendance.

Every April, we are encouraged to celebrate the Arab American community’s rich heritage, history, and hopes as well as their many contributions to our country. Jacksonville Public 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. Throughout the month, the Library will highlight books in our collection by and about Arab Americans including here on our blog, through book displays in your local library, and via reading challenges for all ages on Beanstack.

Get lost in a world of reading and adventure this March 3-9 during Jacksonville's annual Celebrate Reading Week! Jacksonville Public Library and our partners at Kids Hope Alliance, Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Early Learning Coalition Duval, Read USA, Duval County Public Schools, Read Jax, and WJCT have put together a fantastic series of programs and events at libraries and locations across Jacksonville! There will be book giveaways, a chance to learn more about Beanstack and Mayor Deegan's River City Readers challenge, and more!

Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is 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. This year, the Florida Department of Education has scheduled the celebration for the week of January 22–26. The theme of this year’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! is "Believe In Your Shelf – Building Resiliency Through Reading!"