Get active, get reading, get a free coloring book! June and July are jam-packed with free activities and a fun reading challenge for all ages. Summer Learning sign-up begins June 1 at jaxpubliclibrary.org/summer or at any neighborhood library. Children, teens and adults can track reading and log books online to earn cool badges, weekly prizes, and a free book after reaching their goal. This year everyone receives a unique Summer Happenings Coloring and Activity Book just for signing up. Activities run the gamut from balloons and magic to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and Zumba. There are programs for adults, too. Get Summer Learning details now.
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Summer Learning Kickoff Parties: June 3 – 9 You’re invited to help launch the Summer Learning and Reading Challenge at your neighborhood library. Every library will host a kickoff party. You can sign up for Summer Learning on the spot, enjoy refreshments, play games and more. Check the schedule (Search "Kickoff") to find the date and location of a kickoff party near you. Attend a party at any branch you choose.
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Don't let your kids experience "summer slide." Students can lose up to two months of knowledge over summer break, putting them behind for the next school year. Summer Learning programs are designed to keep kids engaged, reading, and using critical thinking skills so they are better prepared to go back to school! Give your kids the edge with Summer Learning and put a stop to the summer slide.
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Free Lunch for SummerBeginning June 5 through August, kids up to age 18 can enjoy free lunch at 15 library locations: Argyle, Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional, Bradham and Brooks, Brown Eastside, Dallas Graham, Highlands Regional, Main, Mandarin, Murray Hill, Pablo Creek Regional, Regency Square, University Park, West, Westbrook and Willowbranch. Lunch is typically at noon or 1 p.m. Check the lunch schedule by searching “Summer Lunch” on the library's calendar of events.
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Library Director plans to retire June 30, 2017After 12 years as director of the Jacksonville Public Library and with more than 40 years of library service, Barbara A. B. Gubbin has announced her retirement. Tenacious, dedicated, and with a passion for literacy, Gubbin made sure the library always provided innovative and creative programming in spite of tight budget restraints. Gubbin was recently honored with the American Library Association’s 2017 Ernest A. DiMattia Award for demonstrating leadership in anticipating emerging trends in services and technology, and for participating in the life of the community using membership in and volunteer service through a range of community organizations and projects. Gubbin's legacy includes many firsts, including a partnership with Duval County Public Schools to give access and virtual library cards to every DCPS student. Please join us in thanking Director Gubbin for her excellent leadership and for building the library system into a first-rate establishment, open and welcoming to all. We will miss her; we wish her the very best, and hope to see her often at our branches! Read more about Library Director Barbara Gubbin’s accomplishments.
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JPL named 2017 Library of the Year Recognized for outstanding service to community The Jacksonville Public Library was honored as the Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association. FLA, which promotes excellence in Florida libraries, presented the award to JPL on May 10 at the FLA Annual Conference in Orlando. Criteria for the award included creativity and/or innovation in programming; expansion and/or enhancement of service to all constituents and areas of the community: city, county or campus; and leadership in implementing programs that can be emulated by other libraries. Kudos to the entire JPL team! Read more about the award.
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Altered Objects through July 23 Main Library, Jax Makerspace Gallery Open During Regular Hours This exhibit explores how history and the natural world influence the stories that we create. Enjoy inspirational works of art by six local artists including Elaine Wheeler (pictured above), whose sculptural baskets were influenced by her upbringing in the Tropics with a backdrop of lush foliage, indigenous crafts and earthenware. (Left: After the Storm; sycamore, crape myrtle, lily leaf coding.)
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Ancient tombs to archeaological finds: can you dig it?Regular Hours, Main Library, First Floor You be the judge: what is real and what is fictitious? Jovian Treasures invites the visitor to accept as truth the premise that aliens lived on earth and left ancient artifacts from the civilizations with which they interacted. (Pictured left: Dig Site 303, Egyptian Tomb Frieze, Dated 2970 BCE, Abydos, Egypt. At right: You're the archaeologist in this interactive exhibit. See how many fossils and/or artifacts you can discover.)
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Explore, Collaborate, Create
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Celebrating Cultural DiversityJune 7, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Main Library, Jax Makerspace ♦ Rainbow Craft Station – LGBT-themed crafts to celebrate GLBT Book Month ♦ Eco Relics presents DIY pallet furniture by repurposing pallets Don't get bored over the summer. Make it to the Makerspace for cool, interesting things to do: collage, computer coding, music, Adobe Photoshop, robot derby, TinkerCad and much more. It's your place and your time to break out of the mold and try something new. Check it out!
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It Can't Happen to Me! A Community Conversation about Preventing Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation. Thursday, June 15, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Conference Center Multipurpose Room, Main Library Ken Amaro of First Coast News and other experts will share tips for protecting older adults against fraud, scams, and physical/mental abuse in a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day program. Registration is required for this free program. Lunch will be provided for the first 75 to register. Get more details and register by June 11 online or call 630-4654.
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A Legacy of Honor and Valor Exhibit On display June 4 – July 8, Regular Business Hours, Main Library, Fourth Floor Exhibit Opening/Reception with Hari Jones Sunday, June 4, 2 p.m., Main Library, Hicks Auditorium Historian, curator, author and lecturer Harold "Hari" Jones will be the keynote speaker for the opening reception of the Buffalo Soldiers exhibit. Jones is one of the foremost experts on African-Americans in the Civil War and has appeared in more than 50 television programs and documentaries appearing on CSPAN, Fox News, NBC, PBS, the American Heroes Channel, the History Channel and the Smithsonian Channel. This year's exhibit highlights the contributions of African-Americans to the U.S. Navy and the Tuskegee Air Women. Read more.
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Intermezzo - Final Concert of the SeasonSunday, June 11, 3 – 4:30 p.m., Main Library, Hicks Auditorium Among the winners of the 2013 American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music, pianist Joshua Ross made his Carnegie Hall debut in Weill Recital Hall in February 2014, with a repeat performance in June 2016. He holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Florida State University.
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Musical Guest: Melvin Smith Jazz Ensemble Wednesday, June 14, Noon, The Lounge at 303 North, Main Library Bring your lunch, bring a friend, and sit back and relax to the sounds of the Melvin Smith Jazz Ensemble, led by tenor saxophonist and Jacksonville native Melvin Smith. Smith, who started playing the sax at age 13, has played at the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Midwest Record Review's Chris Spector described him as a "soulful sax man." Enjoy free concerts the second Wednesday of every month in the Lounge at 303 North.
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Free Expert Advice Landlord/Renter Issues and Can I Find Financing for My Small Business?
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Drop Everything and Read!All June and July – All Library Locations Take a break from the heat and join library staffers as they share some favorite books with you. Staff will read aloud for 15 minutes every day at your neighborhood branch. If you like what you hear, you might decide to check out a copy of the book to take home. Join us for Drop Everything and Read through mid August. To find your library branch times: search "Drop" in the calendar.
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Teen Short Story Contest – Entries Due July 1"Just a few finishing touches and the world would be forever changed ... " Use those words to write an original short story. You could win the $100 first prize. Ten volunteer hours are required. Submissions and completed volunteer applications are due by July 1. First ($100) and second place ($50) prizes for grades 6 – 8 and 9 – 12. Get details and entry form.
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Teens celebrate GLBT Book Month with books & programs Multiple Dates and Locations JPL has a great lineup for ages 12 – 18. Here's a sneak peek: ♦ Read the Rainbow! Explore teen fiction with diverse casts of characters. Discover new ways to be positive; celebrate artistry with hands-on project. ♦ Take Care of You: 10 to Win! Discover the top 10 things you can do to take care of yourself and make life worth living. No. 7 will blow your mind. ♦ Don't Hide Your Pride! Guests from JASYMN will help us make buttons to tell the world what makes us proud and celebrate GLBT Book Month.
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Young Adult Job Fair: Looking for a job? Looking to hire! Tuesday, June 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Main Library, Conference Center This is your chance to meet dozens of prospective employers, learn about job opportunities, gather information, and hone skills all in one place. Interact with representatives from the City of Jacksonville, Target, Starbucks, Liberty National Insurance, Daily's, UPS, UF Health Shands Jacksonville, and many more companies and organizations. You'll also learn about volunteer opportunities to build good resume experience. Workshops will be held throughout the event. Computers and printers will be available as well as staff to help with resumes and job applications. Know a young adult who needs a job? Please tell them about the Young Adult Job Fair. Last year more than 1,000 young adults attended and many found jobs. C heck us out on Facebook. Registration is not required but if you'd like, you may preregister free.
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Teen Art Contest Winner Solo Exhibit Through June, Main Library, Teen Art Gallery The judges' decision is final for the Teen Art Contest and this year Kia Goodrich took first place for her colorful and whimsical sculpture titled Toucan Man. Goodrich won a gift certificate from Reddi Arts and will have her own show in the Teen Gallery for the month of June. Be sure to stop in and enjoy the show. Open during regular hours. Second and third place winners will exhibit in July.
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Put Hi $5 Reading goal over the top Thanks to your donations we've reached more than half of our Hi $5 goal for Summer Learning and Reading programs. If you haven't made a donation, you can do so at your neighborhood branch or donate online now. You can help us achieve our major goal, and help children keep up their skills in summer programming.
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