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Just in time for the holidays... get hooked on Hoopla—our new streaming service Have you signed up for Hoopla? It’s a new library service that lets you instantly borrow movies, television shows, audiobooks and music albums with your library card—for free—and enjoy them on your computer, tablet or smart phone, with no holds and no late fees. Just think of the money you can save over the holidays and every day by streaming free entertainment. Choose from more than 200,000 titles for adults, teens and children. Then sit back and relax with a classic holiday movie or music. Read more.
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Join Tess Gerritsen, the “Medical Suspense Queen” for author chat, Q&A, and book signing See and hear the New York Times best-selling author whose novels inspired Rizzoli & Isles, TNT’s hit series about a female crime-solving duo. Tess Gerritsen, a medical doctor who lives in Maine, began her writing career—surprisingly—as a romance novelist. She went on to write many medical thrillers and 11 novels for the Rizzoli & Isles series, counting Die Again, which will be released Dec. 30. Her books are available in 35 languages and more than 30 million copies have been sold worldwide. Now’s your chance to see Tess Gerritsen in person and enter into her world of suspense and get the inside scoop on the characters she created in Rizzoli & Isles.
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‘Tis the Season for Music @ Main Dec. 2, 14 & 16, Main Library, Hicks Auditorium Our festive December concerts are guaranteed to put you into the holiday spirit. Enjoy a multicultural choral offering in “Winter Gifts” with the Heritage Singers. “Holiday Excursion” features Gary Smart (piano) and friends including Dr. Bill Prince (trumpet) and Marilyn Smart (soprano). And don’t miss “Seasonal Fare” with the Ancient City Brass Band performing everything from traditional Christmas carols to modern holiday songs. Read more.
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Lawyers in Libraries Seal/Expunge Criminal Arrest Records Dec. 8 & 10, Multiple LocationsThe process for getting criminal arrest records sealed (placed under highly restricted access) or expunged (removed from records) can seem complicated and overwhelming. In this month’s Lawyers in Libraries Workshops, qualified attorneys can walk you through the procedures step by step. They know the laws and rules that govern Florida’s process and they offer general advice that can help. Register for a free workshop.
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Parlez-vous français? Immerse yourself in conversational French classesDec. 3, 10 & 17, 7 – 8:30 P.M., Pablo Creek Regional LibraryWould you like to learn conversational French, delve into French culture, and interact with an advanced French speaker in a welcoming class setting? Now you can at the library—for free. Join us for a fun, educational three-part series of immersive French classes using the latest Transparent Language Online software to engage you in a variety of exercises that build listening, reading, grammar, and speaking skills. Read more.
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Transparent Language Online: An innovative way to learn languages Do you want to learn French? Or Spanish? Or one of 62 other languages? Discover Transparent Language Online to learn a language using a FREE self-paced, online language-learning system. You can create an account to save and retrieve ongoing lessons and even download an app for iPhone and Android devices to bring the lessons with you. So grab your library card and click here to get started.
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Get Financially Fit @ your library Raising a Money-Smart Kid Dec. 4 & 17, Multiple Locations Want your child to learn how to handle money wisely? Pick up specific and practical techniques to help children ages 2 through 18 learn how to save, spend and invest money. Knowing how to responsibly manage money from an early age can pay off for a lifetime. Parents and caregivers can register for this free workshop or call 630-4655 for information.
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Get the kids ready for a blast of fun with Winter Break Happenings at the libraryActivities vary by location, Dec. 6 – Jan. 3 What do a storybook mouse, Scrooge, Santa and cloud sheep have to do with winter break? They are major attractions at the Jacksonville Public Library’s free Winter Break Happenings activities that run before, during and after the Duval County Public Schools’ winter break. Children from birth to 18 can choose from more than 100 age-appropriate activities including holiday crafts, movies, story times, puppet shows, gaming and more. So keep the kids reading and learning all month long—check out the Winter Break Happenings Guide and Winter Activity Card/Reading List online or at your neighborhood library. Reading—and more—for prizes. Starting Dec. 9, kids from birth to 12 years old can participate in the Winter Fun Prize Program and earn a free book and a coupon for a free ticket to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus, coming in January. With an adult ticket purchase, and while supplies last, a child can receive a coupon valid for one free circus ticket by completing 8 – 10 activities, which includes reading five books, on the Winter Activity Card. JPL card holders also can save $5 on circus tickets by entering offer code JPL5 at ticketmaster.com. Note: Not valid on front row or VIP premium seating; opening night or Saturday 3:30 p.m. performance; or day of show. Tickets are $2 more on day of show. Winter Break Happenings Highlights • A Christmas Carol – presented by the Hampstead Stage Company • “Santa Story Stops & Photo Ops,” a story time with Santa • Let It Snow Puppet Show with cloud sheep Beep and Leap • Special story times with the adorable mouse from If You Give A Mouse A Cookie
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Teen Art Contest – you could win! Submit your artwork Dec. 15 – Jan. 31 How would you like to have a solo art exhibition in a public place? Or take home a gift certificate to replenish your art supplies? The winner of the Teen Art Contest will take home a $30 gift certificate from Reddi Arts, plus earn a solo show at the Main Library for an entire month. Teens ages 12 – 18 are invited to submit up to three entries of visual art to any Jacksonville Public Library location. Get more details and an entry form.
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Express Your #Selfie ExhibitionWhat’s your idea of a “selfie?” It might change after seeing Express Your #Selfie, a mixed-media exhibit of self-portraits created by talented patient artists at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Express Your #Selfie provides an unconventional take on the popular “selfie” concept. The exhibit is made possible by Art with a Heart in Healthcare, an organization that provides personalized fine art experiences to enhance the healing process for patients and their families. View the exhibit during regular hours in the Teen Gallery at the Main Library throughout December.
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History Fair help is here! Multiple Dates & Locations Need help picking a topic or finding good resources for your History Fair project? You’ve come to the right place—your library. We’ll show you how to get to great resources you never knew existed, and teach you how use electronic databases chock full of articles, facts and ideas. Let us help you create a successful project. Check for a History Fair help class near you.
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Library’s genealogy departmentstars on PBS show The spotlight shined on the Jacksonville Public Library’s genealogy department in a recent episode of WJCT-TV’s Finding Your Roots, a television show that helps people learn about their long-lost relatives. The Oct. 14 episode featured actress Khandi Alexander finding out about the possible murder of her grandfather who lived in Jacksonville in the 1920s. The staff at the Main Library’s genealogy department in Special Collections assisted local genealogist Bobbie Crissman, who found articles in the Times-Union microfilm to use for the episode. Thanks to WJCT for showcasing the services and resources the JPL genealogy department offers the community. Watch the library genealogy segment that ran on PBS, and then enjoy the full episode. Finding Your Roots airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
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Save your precious memories with new photo scanning service Do you have boxes of old photos? Now, with our new photo scanning equipment, you can preserve priceless photographs, letters and scrapbook pages for you and future generations. It’s easy. Sign up for a two-hour appointment and we’ll teach you how to use the equipment so you can save your personal historic information on your own memory card or blank DVD. We’ll offer advice and training. Learn more or make an appointment at jaxpubliclibrary.org/lib/photos.html.
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New e-reader or tablet on your list? We can help you choose and use. Planning on giving or getting a new tablet or reader this holiday? Look for classes in January on how to use your new device to access all of the great streaming and downloadable e-books, audiobooks, music, movies and television shows from your library. Free computer classes and one-on-one appointment information is always available on our E-services page, where you’ll also find buying guides to help you make the right choice for your TV or video game buying this holiday season. (You can also access E-services by clicking “Computer Classes” on JPL’s homepage or going to jaxpubliclibrary.org/eservices.)
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Digital Bookmobile is "huge" hit
You couldn't miss the 74-foot long 18-wheeler when it parked in front of the Main Library last month. People of all ages enjoyed touring the vehicle to learn about the library's e-services. E-specialists were on hand to give one-on-one assistance to help with mobile devices, download e-books and more.
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School Board member visits MandarinAll eyes are on School Board Member Ashley Smith Juarez (that's her in the purple blouse in the far back) as she leads a story time at the Mandarin Branch Library in November. She also attended the Alden Road Exceptional Student Center Art show and reception at the branch.
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Shop Amazon.com to support the libraryShopping online this holiday? Click first on the Buy It Now icon on the library’s homepage to link with Amazon.com. Each time you use the link to make purchases, a portion of the proceeds is returned to the library. It doesn’t cost you anything. Bookmark the link to use all year long. Remember, you can use the link to buy Tess Gerritsen’s book, Die Again, (publication expected Dec. 30), or use it to buy anything. Help us spread the word. If you have friends who shop online, tell them about our website link.
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Looking for a gift sure to fit? Look to your library No matter if your special someone is large, tall, short or small, our unique gift option will always fit. You simply make a donation in honor or memory of someone you care about. A customized bookplate featuring the person’s name will be placed in a book, an audiobook or a DVD. Your gift honors your loved one for years to come in a very special way for all to see. Enjoy convenient online credit card payment. Go to the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation to learn more.
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Read a winner… National Book Award Winner With a mission to celebrate the best of American literature and enhance the cultural value of great writing in America, the 65th Annual National Book Awards announced the 2014 National Book Award finalists for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and young people’s literature. Check our library catalog list for finalist titles and others that made the long list.
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Keeping up with traditions in the festive month of December
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Spotlight on NextReads: Armchair Travel See the world without ever leaving your chair! Featuring the best in travel writing, this newsletter will take you all over the world. Bi-monthly. View the latest issue here; then sign up for NextReads to receive e-newsletters with book recommendations based on your interests.
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Willowbranch Branch Library UpdatesWant to know what’s happening at the Willowbranch Branch Library since it was closed Sept. 11 due to water intrusion? Keep informed about repairs by checking the weekly Willowbranch Branch Library Updates blog.
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Beaches Branch Library Construction The Beaches Branch Library is open as usual. The boarded up look is just a sign of the many improvements that are still going on! Thank you for your patience.
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Don’t forget to vote early! Dec. 6 – 14, residents of House District 13 can cast their ballots early for that district’s special primary election for the House District 13 seat. Election day is Dec. 16, and the general election will be Feb. 17, 2015. Click for early voting sites which include several libraries.
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Library Holiday Hours In observance of Christmas: Closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 Closed Thursday, Dec. 25.
In observance of New Year's: Close at 6 P.M. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 Closed Thursday, Jan. 1
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Board & Committee MeetingsRemember, the public is always invited to attend the library’s monthly board meetings.
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