It's triple the action with three Comic Cons all on one day! The sixth annual Beaches Branch Library Comic Con features artists, a DJ, fandom elements from Dr. Who and Star Wars, vendors, cosplay and more. Beaches branch will also have an appearance from Al Letson (DC Comics Talent Development Workshop graduate). South Mandarin Library hosts its first big event with Hell Girl cosplay, crafts, costume contest, pizza food truck, and tons of fun. Fans who attend the inaugural Highlands Regional Library Comic Con will enjoy a costume contest, face painting and refreshments, and get a free comic book to take home! Read about all three Comic Cons.
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Sample a taste of the East as we give a nod to Asian and Pacific Islanders who enrich our nation's history. Enjoy a tea ceremony, four weeks of Tai Chi, conversational Japanese, street food of the Philippines, a TED Talk and a martial art demo. Immerse yourself and your kids and teens in a cultural experience. To get into the spirit of things, read a popular novel by Amy Tan or Lisa See. Find out more.
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♦ Marsha Dean Phelts – Saturday, May 19, 2 – 4 p.m., Main Library, Hicks Auditorium See a special showing of the WJCT documentary about American Beach, followed by a presentation by historian and author of An American Beach for African Americans. Phelts was the first to chronicle this beach's history.♦ Dorothy K. Fletcher – Thursday, May 17, 7 – 8 p.m., University Park Branch Library Go back in time with the author of Lost Restaurants of Jacksonville, to learn what happened to The Green Derby and Le Chateau. ♦ Mary Atwood – Thursday, May 17, 7 - 8 p.m., Southeast Regional Library Author and award-winning photographer of Historic Homes of Florida's First Coast will take you on a tour of historic homes, including the Delius House, Kingsley Plantation, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House and others. Read about author talks.
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Library Focus on Mental Health – Art Exhibits and Bibliotherapy Mental Health Month was launched in 1949 by Mental Health America to increase awareness of mental health issues, reduce stigma, and share resources to help people cope, live a higher quality of life, and heal emotional and psychological wounds. The library offers reading materials as well as online databases to gain insight and information about mental health. Search the catalog by topic or visit your library and ask for a bibliotherapy brochure for young adults. Take in the art exhibits (ground, second and third floors) at the Main Library. You'll be moved by creative expressions of healing through the arts.
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Prescribed Expression – Reception and Opening during Art Walk Wednesday, May 2, 5 – 7 p.m., Main Library, Jax Makerspace Gallery Prescribed Expression: Relief in Healing Arts focuses on the impact of the arts in mental health and medicine, and prompts viewers to recognize their own innate creative abilities. Art partners for the exhibit include Art with a Heart in Healthcare: Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Cathedral Arts Project, Hope at Hand, Indigo Art Therapy, Deformance Art, I Still Matter, MOCA Art Aviators and JASMYN. For the duration of Prescribed Expression, the Jax Makerspace will host sensory friendly activities, artist demonstrations, panel discussions, advocacy workshops, and theater and dance performances. The exhibit will run through July 22 and is open during regular library hours. Learn more.
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Doubleheader in the Jax Makerspace ...
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U-Fix-It Clinic: Bicycles Saturday, May 12, 2 – 4 p.m. Bring your bike to the Jax Makerspace to learn how to cycle with confidence and stay safe on the road. Receive help with repairing flats as well as basic fixes and overall maintenance tips to get your bike ready to ride this summer. Learn more.
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Blogging: Panel Discussion Saturday, May 12, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Whether you're an experienced blogger or just starting out, join us for this panel discussion as local bloggers discuss their process and practices for creating and maintaining an engaging social media presence. Learn more.
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Reminder: Summer Learning and Reading Coming Soon ... Stay Tuned
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Teens, Get a Head Start on Your Short Story! Submit an original short story and volunteer 10 hours at any library location for a chance to win a $100 prize. Write your short story using the assigned theme and your imagination. Submissions and completed volunteer applications are due between June 1 – July 1, 2018. Categories include Grades 6 – 8 and Grades 9 – 12 with a first ($100) and second ($50) prize for each category. Download eligibility details and an entry form.
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Chair Yoga Fridays, May 11, 18, 25 & June 1, 8, 15, 25 & 20, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.Beaches Branch Library, Community Room Learn how to do modified yoga poses in a chair. Everyone is invited to take part in this free eight-week session of chair yoga, led by a yoga practitioner. Come to all the classes or as many as you'd like. Find out more.
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Workshop with Web and Blog Guru Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. – Noon Main Library, The Lounge at 303 North If you're looking to start a blog, website guru Elizabeth Pampalone can teach you what to write, how to write it, and how to do it in less than 10 minutes a day. Using her proven method, anyone can become a blogger, or a better blogger. This workshop is free and open to the public but please register.
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Opioid Crisis Community Forum Wednesday, May 2, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Mandarin Branch Library Join in Facebook live if you cannot attend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid overdose kills more than 115 Americans every day. Join our panel of community leaders and experts for an engaging discussion on the causes and effects of this public health emergency. Panelists include Tim Quick, chief investigator, 4th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office; Ron Lendvay, director, Department of Investigation and Homeland Security, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office; Richard Preston, a recovering addict and author of Serenity Granted; and Lt. Mark Rowley, data and privacy officer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. An open Q&A will follow the discussion. Learn more.
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Small Business Workshop: Where Can I Find Financing for My Small Business?Wednesday, May 16, 6 – 8 p.m., Mandarin Branch LibraryThis month's workshop, led by SCORE, counselors to America's small businesses, will discuss how to find business loans online. You can also learn about different types of financing, sources, and what you need to qualify. Find out more about this workshop and other free business workshops at the library.
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Final 2018 Great Decisions Discussion Global Health: Progress and ChallengesThursday, May 10, 7 p.m., Southeast Regional Library Although the collective action of countries, communities and organizations over the last 30 years has saved millions of lives around the world, inequalities in health persist. The world faces a mix of health challenges, including preventable deaths, infectious diseases, and rising rates of chronic disease. Join this important discussion, led by Lt. Col. Michael Brady, USA, (RET), Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University in Washington, D.C. Learn more.
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Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society Presents: A Legacy of Honor and ValorExhibit Opening – Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m. Main Library, Hicks Auditorium, Conference Level
Exhibit: May 26 – June 30, Main Library, Fourth Floor Atrium Buffalo Soldiers Programs – Various Locations in May & June The 2018 exhibit highlights the contributions of African-Americans during the Civil War. Join us for the opening program featuring historian, curator, author and lecturer Harold “Hari”Jones. 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 airing on Fox News, PBS, the American Heroes Channel, the History Channel, and the Smithsonian Channel. Get dates and locations for all of the programs.
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Music @ Main Intermezzo Concert Cliff Newton, Trumpet & Friends Sunday, May 13 , 3 p.m., Main Library, Hicks Auditorium Cliff Newton retired from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra after 32 years as principal trumpet, but maintains a busy and varied performance schedule, in addition to teaching. He is the co-founder of the Ancient City Brass Band, and also an active member of The One Step Ahead of the Law Brass Band. Read more.
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Lunch @ The Lounge with Old Dawgs New Trixx Wednesday, May 9, Noon Main Library, The Lounge at 303 North Longtime friends and musicians Carlton Higginbotham (guitar, banjo, vocals) and John Roche (mandolin, fiddle, vocals) entertain with "Authentic Old Time Celtic Country Folk Rock Americana Jazz." The Old Dawgs also play at Southlight Gallery during Art Walk, Mudville Music Room, Suwanee Spring Reunion and Riverside Arts Market. Bring lunch, sit back and enjoy the cool sound of Old Dawgs.
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Hi $5 for Reading – Keep Kids Reading Kids who don't read over summer break can lose up to two months of reading skills and fall behind in school. Your $5 donation helps keep kids safe, engaged and learning all summer long. Please give a Hi $5 at your library branch or give online. The Jacksonville Public Library Foundation thanks you for helping prevent the summer slide.
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Holiday Hours – Closed for Memorial Day In observance of Memorial Day, all libraries will be closed Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 29. Remember, our digital library is available 24/7.
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