Rizzoli & Isles Author Tess Gerritsen Talk & Book Signing (Free General Program)(5 P.M., Private Meet and Greet -- Ticketed Event)The critically acclaimed author of the Rizzoli & Isles mysteries that led to TNT’s hit series of the same name is on tour to promote her latest book, Die Again, at the Main Library. Gerritsen will reveal her backstory to becoming an international best-selling author, and give a behind-the-scenes look at the popular TV show with the crime-fighting characters she created. The general program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase on site from The BookMark for signing after the presentation. Gerritsen’s appearance is courtesy of Ballantine Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Read more of what’s in store when you say “Yes!” to an evening with Tess at the library.
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Private VIP Meet and Greet Reception (Ticketed Event) 5 P.M., The Lounge at 303 North (inside front entrance) Get up close and personal with author Tess Gerritsen at a VIP Meet and Greet Reception prior to the general program. Proceeds support the work of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation. For details and to purchase a ticket to the VIP event go to jplfoundation.org or call 630-1703.
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Black History Calendar UnveilingThursday, Jan. 15, 4 P.M., Main Library – Hicks Auditorium The year-long wait for the unveiling of the 2015 Black History Calendar will soon be over. With this year’s theme, “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture,” the calendar will continue to serve as a vital community resource and inspiration to celebrate black history year-round. This marks the 26th annual unveiling and the ninth to be held at the library. The public is invited to join us for this special event and take home a beautiful calendar.
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International Cultural DaySaturday, Jan. 24 11 A.M. – 3 P.M., Beaches Branch LibraryWhat countries come to mind when you think of pizza and Pisa? Sushi and anime? Curry and colorful silk saris? Join us for an educational and entertaining program to learn about the different cultures of the world including Italy, Japan and India. Enjoy fun, hands-on cultural activities and get a flavor of each country by sampling ethnic cuisine. All ages are welcome.
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Lawyers in Libraries Free WorkshopsBeware before you prepare! Throughout January – Multiple LocationsWow! This month is packed with a variety of practical workshops—led by lawyers who provide general advice and guidance—for free. Take advantage of different topics and gain the knowledge you need to avoid tax preparation schemes and understand the shared responsibility tax for the new healthcare law. Other workshops will cover bankruptcy basics and landlord/renter issues. Register for a free workshop of your choice and location.
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Starting—or running—a small business? Resources for Small Businesses can help!Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.Mandarin Branch Library The Small Business Administration and the Jacksonville Public Library are conducting a free workshop for small business owners or potential owners. Learn about planning and business development, private and government agencies to contact for assistance, where to search for loans and incentives, research support through print and electronic resources, and how to contact those who can help. First come, first served. Call 262-5201 for more information.
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Get Financially Fit @ your library Managing Money in Tough Times Jan. 8 & 21, Multiple Locations Need help with your budget after the holidays? Or just want to reign in your spending? Learn how to make those tough decisions for spending and get tips for reducing expenses. Register for a free workshop or call 630-4655 for information.
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Music @ Main with Bach Beethoven, Chopin and more!Jan. 6, 11 & 20, at Main Library, Hicks Auditorium
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Oboist Ann Adams
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Pianist Kaisar Anvar
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Trumpet in the New Year with one astounding concert after the other. Emergence features talented pianist Kaisar Anvar playing Bach, Beethoven and Chopin as well as contemporary composer Carl Vine. The afternoon Intermezzo showcases trumpeter Cliff Newton, accompanied by Bonita Sonsini Wyke and Dr. Bill Prince. And don’t miss Tuesday Serenade with oboist Ann Adams, sharing the stage with violinist Angelo Goderre, bassoonist Ted Shistle, and pianist Rose Shlyam Grace, with musical selections composed by Edward Lein, C.M. Loeffler and Andre Previn. Read more.
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Customers gain more computer and technology class options at library With a goal to make technology available and more user-friendly to everyone in the community, three additional core computer classes will be offered at Main, Webb Wesconnett Regional and South Mandarin Branch libraries. Also this month, look for the MS Office 2010 Excel and conversational Spanish series, as well as mobile device classes just for seniors. And bring in your new laptop, tablet or other mobile device; we can help you download e-books, audiobooks, music and Hoopla media in a class, or book a 1-on-1 tech tutoring appointment with an e-library specialist. Check our computer and technology class schedule. Starting in January… Want to excel at MS Excel? Take the series and learn Excel I, II and III. Learn more. Turn on, Tune In, Technology for Seniors. Learn more.
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Join our three-part interactive class series that includes Transparent Language Online training, practice conversation in Spanish, access to free practice resources and all things Spanish. There is no registration necessary. Seating is first come, first served. Some basic computer skills are required. Call 992-7101 for information.
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Musical Storybooks for PreschoolersSaturday, Jan. 3, 11 a.m., University Park Branch Library, Multipurpose Meeting RoomTreat the kids to the hugely popular Musical Storybooks, an interactive musical program for preschoolers designed to foster a love of reading and books. The featured storybook, Mole Music by David McPhail, teaches vocabulary, listening skills, math, art and more. The story is interwoven with live music and interaction with a string quartet from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
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Get your art on for the Teen Art Contest Submit original artwork through Jan. 31 Teens can make it an “artventful” holiday break, and submit paintings, drawings, photography, mixed media or sculpture into the library’s Teen Art Contest. You could win a solo show at the Main Library and a gift certificate from Reddi Arts. Teens ages
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Keep active, keep reading Earn your free circus ticket Winter Break Happenings activities at the library are wrapping up but there’s still time for kids from birth – 12 years to complete the reading activities on the Activity Card to earn a book and a free ticket to the The Greatest Show on Earth® Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus: Circus Xtreme Jan. 15 – 18 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Get Winter Reading Prize Program details.
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Share PSA video with your kids and bring awareness to bullying
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Special guests came out for holiday happenings in December...The Navy Band Southeast’s Brass Quintet, Windward Brass, packed the house with more than 90 attendees for a holiday performance at the Mandarin Branch Library. Veterans and active duty personnel in the audience were recognized by City Councilman Matt Schellenberg (standing).
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A big thank you to City Councilman Bill Gulliford (seated) for joining the Southeast Regional Library for a Santa Story Stop & Photo Op. Youth Services Librarian Carisia Rooney stood in as an elf with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Winter Break Happenings event reinforces reading and listening skills in young children.
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CAL volunteer uses unique teaching approach,Helps students succeed at Southeast RegionalElaine Ginn has been strengthening our community by volunteering as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor with the library’s Center for Adult Learning for more than a year. Ginn shows an exceptional understanding of the needs of adult English language learners as evidenced by the progress her students have made at the Southeast Regional Library. Find out what she does to make instruction relevant to her students.
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Share your story to create changeduring My Library Story campaignMany articles today focus on the challenges facing libraries and their risk of becoming irrelevant. You can change those headlines by telling how Jacksonville Public Library has helped change your life, or made our community better. We encourage all library users to reflect on the importance of their library and to participate in the My Library Story campaign. For every story that demonstrates the value and impact of today’s libraries, Gale will donate a dollar to promote libraries. Enjoy the testimonials and share your experience through Feb. 28. Let's tell about the successes of our library!
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JPL’s Readers’ Advisory book suggestion makes long list in major literary competition Each year the Readers’ Advisory at Jacksonville Public Library reads and recommends books based on high literary merit for the International Impac Dublin Literary Award. JPL’s recommendation for Fever by Mary Beth Keane, made the long list of 142 books that will be considered for the final award announced in June. Nominations are submitted by library systems in major cities throughout the world. Way to go, JPL! Our recommendation made the list. You, too, can read this enthralling novel about Typhoid Mary when you check out Fever at the library.
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Dark secrets and budding romances Downton Abbey Season 5 returns to WJCT
Downton Abbey returns for an epic fifth season! Viewers can expect to follow plot threads left dangling from last season including Lady Mary’s courtship contest, Lady Edith’s trials as a secret single mom, Thomas’ scheming against Bates, and much more. Downton Abbey Season 5 airs on WJCT-TV on Sundays at 9 p.m., beginning with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, Jan. 4. Visit our partner wjct.org for information. Catch a sneak peek of Season 5 and enjoy our special Reading List created just for Downton Abbey fans. Don’t miss February’s e-news with more ideas for fans. Image © Nick Briggs/Carnival Films 2014 for MASTERPIECE
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NextReads: Business and Personal Finance What's hot, what's not—and where you want to go! We'll cover marketing trends, selling tips, corporate survival, personal finance, real estate, and more. This newsletter is bimonthly. View the latest issue, then sign up for NextReads to receive e-newsletters with book recommendations based on your interests.
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Cold or flu? What to do? Turn to info you can trust. Achoo! You are sneezing, sniffling and starting to wonder: Is it a cold or is it the flu? If you turn to your search engine, you’ll have pages and pages of results but no way to know whether articles are reliable or advertising. Go instead to the Health & Wellness Resource Center on the library’s website. The information is from professionals like the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and other trusted sources. So grab your tissue and library card and start reading.
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Spotlight on History: 100th Year Commemoration of the Great WarFrom the National Monument of the Marne Victory in Mondement, France, to the monument at Fort Loncin, Belgium, to other historic cemeteries and museums, you’ll learn about the great sacrifices undertaken for the “War to End All Wars.” The author of A Distant Sound of Thunder visited the sites recently and shares his insight and images with dispatches from the front.
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Willowbranch Branch Library Updates Have you been following the progress for repairs at the Willowbranch Branch Library? It was temporarily closed Sept. 11 due to water intrusion. Things are looking better with cleaning, painting, sodding and more, so see for yourself when you follow weekly postings on the Willowbranch Branch Library Updates blog.
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Beaches Branch Library Construction Please use the north entrance while we work on the front doors through mid-January.The Beaches Branch Library will be open as usual during this time. Thank you for your patience.
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Board & Committee MeetingsRemember, the public is always invited to attend the library’s monthly board meetings.
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