 New York Times Best-Selling Author Mary Kay Andrews Talk and Book Signing (Free General Program)Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 P.M., Main Library, Multipurpose RoomHold on to your sun hat! Mary Kay Andrews is coming to the library to promote her newest novel, Beach Town. Andrews is the author of Save the Date, Ladies’ Night, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Savannah Breeze and more. Books will be available for purchase from Chamblin's Uptown Bookstore and Cafe. Her appearance is courtesy of St. Martin’s Press. A VIP Meet and Greet Reception, a ticketed event to benefit the library, will be held prior to the general program at 5 P.M. For details and to purchase a VIP ticket, go to jplfoundation.org or call 630-1995. (Photo by Bill Miles) |
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Check it out at the library:Enjoy Mary Kay Andrews’ best-selling novels and look for mysteries written under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck.
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Music @ MainMultiple Dates and Times, Main Library, Hicks Auditorium From Community Standards with the popular Don Thompson Chorale, to Intermezzo with the Maharlika Trio performing classical to jazz, to Tuesday Serenade featuring Ravel’s sonata for violin and cello, these free concerts will delight casual concertgoers and experienced music connoisseurs alike. Learn more. |
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 Calling all Superheroes – 3rd Annual Comic ConSaturday, May 2, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Beaches Branch Get ready for an action-packed day with local comic artists, panels, trivia, and a costume contest. Woodley Special Effects will give a makeup demo, and Ashley Lanni and Al Letson will lead a panel on “How to Break into the Comics Industry.” The Batmobile, Fangirl Boutique, and Backstreet Catering food truck will be on site. Take the shuttle to Superhero Beach for your free comic book! Read more. |
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Special Collections Author Series presents Larry BakerWednesday, May 20, 5:30 P.M., Main Library Author Larry Baker will discuss his latest book The Education of Nancy Adams. The novel offers an entertaining portrait of a 37-year-old widow who’s taken a teaching job at the Jacksonville high school she graduated from 20 years earlier, working for a married principal she once adored. Baker is also the author of Flamingo Rising, Athens/America and A Good Man. Read more. |
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Learn Tagalog and MandarinMultiple Dates and LocationsIn celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, learn the language basics of the two biggest Asian populations in America. Interactive classes for Conversational Filipino (Tagalog) and Conversation Chinese (Mandarin) will be led by a native language speaker in a welcoming group setting. Read more. |
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 You're invited to Conversations with Courtney Tuesday, May 12, Main Library, The Lounge at 303 North 5:15 P.M. – Reception
5:45 P.M. – Join Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Courtney Lewis as he discusses his upcoming concert and plans for the future.
6:15 P.M. – Meet and Greet |
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 Great Decisions 2015 How will the U.S. secure its interests as India changes course? Lawyers in Libraries Attorneys offer general advice on landlord/renter issues, sealing and expunging records, child support and small claims. Get Financially Fit @ Your Library There’s more to couponing than just clipping. Learn when to use coupons for the lowest prices, grocery sale cycles and more. JEA Backpack Workshops Reduce your energy bill the fun way—check out a backpack just like the one the Suns' mascot Southpaw is holding. |
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 Get out your earbuds! SYNC is back.The summer SYNC program offers free audiobooks all summer long. Each week beginning May 7 through August 13, you can download two audiobooks, one classic title paired with one current title. Download classics such as Dracula and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as well as current titles by Kami Garcia, Terry Pratchett and others. Go to JPL for Teens or audiobooksync.com to get started. |
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Young Adult Career & Resume WorkshopsMultiple Dates and LocationsIf you’re ages 16 – 21, take advantage of these expert-led workshops on employee etiquette, dressing for success, interviewing and creating resumes. Presented by the Urban League of Jacksonville, the workshops help prepare you for the Young Adult Job & Resource Fair coming up in June. Get details. |
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College bound? Get the inside scoop.Sunday, May 17, 2 – 4 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Rm.Learn how to get into a good college. Seniors from prominent colleges such as Dartmouth, UVA, NYU, UF and UCF will talk about their high school journeys and their grades, SAT scores, extracurricular activities, leadership and more. Middle and high school students and parents are invited to attend. Learn more. |
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Jennifer L. Giltrop is the new deputy director of public services for the Jacksonville Public Library. She has more than 17 years of public library experience as well as a background in human resources and business. Giltrop most recently served as director of public services for the DC Public Library, and also served as public services director for The Seattle Public Library. Read more.
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Mario J. Payne was recently confirmed by the Jacksonville City Council as a member of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Library Trustees. Payne is a certified financial planner with Raymond James Financial Services in San Marco and a U.S. Army veteran. Read more. |
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Giant Waterspirit rises at Art in the ParkSaturday, May 2, 10:30 a.m., Main Library & Hemming ParkWaterspirit, a 35-foot long puppet made from recycled bottles, and created by environmental artist Sarah Crooks Flaire, will emerge from the front of the library and make its way across the street to find its lost pearl in the park. Kids and adults of all ages are invited to write a poem or haiku about water as they enjoy the enchanting performance. See Waterspirit at the library May 6 during Art Walk. |
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 Hear songs about Florida legends, the St. Johns River, colorful characters, and backwater places. |
Music of Florida Concert Wednesday, May 27, 4 p.m.Southeast Regional LibrarySongwriter Al Poindexter and River Rise perform. From original and old timey songs to blues tunes backed up by Al’s National steel bottleneck guitar and fast picking clawhammer banjo, you will be clapping and tapping your feet! Read more. |
 Al Poindexter |
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The River Speaks: Literature of the St. Johns RiverSaturday, May 30, 1 p.m., Main LibraryJoin us as we give life to literature inspired by the experiences and marvels of the St. Johns River. Readers Theater cast will explore writings including River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida's St. Johns River, Tales of the St. Johns River, The Secret River and others. Read more. |
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Cultural Fusion was awarded the 2015 Ninah May Holden Cummer Community Award for launching The Year of the River, a collaborative effort with more than 50 cultural organizations including the Jacksonville Public Library. The initiative raises awareness of the St. Johns River as the “cultural” current of our city. The iconic water lily was created by artist Brian Frus and is on display at the library. See more images. |
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 The Beaches Branch Library was awarded the 2015 Friend of the Beaches Award for enriching life at the beaches by the Beaches Watch, Inc., in April. The branch was recognized for providing a valuable community resource through programming, Internet access, materials and books, and access to meeting rooms. In addition to library and staff, the award recognized branch volunteers.From left to right: Sandy Golding from Beaches Watch and Sybil Ansbacher from Beaches Watch and the Library Board of Trustees presented the 2015 Friend of the Beaches Award to Beaches Branch Library Manager Tamera Branam, Library Clerk Terry Welch and Library Director Barbara Gubbin. |
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Love Wolf Hall? You'll love these too!
Have you been watching—and loving—the PBS miniseries, Wolf Hall, adapted from Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and its sequel, Bring Up the Bodies? The miniseries ends May 10, but you don’t have to stop your own fascination with kings and queens, court intrigue and suspense, Anne Boleyn and the Tudor Dynasty. Click here for more captivating reads from your library. |
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 Join new virtual book club and delve into Ragtime Tuesday, May 19, 9 a.m. – Discussion on 89.9 WJCT-FM
Get ready for an amazing story that beautifully weaves in American history with larger-than-life characters Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Emma Goldman, Evelyn Nesbit and J.P. Morgan. Ragtime, a classic by E.L. Doctorow, is this month’s selection for the First Coast Connect Book Club, a partnership of the Jacksonville Public Library and WJCT. Read the book and join the conversation with WJCT’s First Coast Connect book blogger Stacey Goldring and host Melissa Ross. Click to place an online hold or to find Ragtime at area libraries. Learn more. |
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 Consumer Reports: before you decide on your ride Read expert reviews on important issues from the convenience of your laptop or mobile device. Enter your library card number and PIN number and read this current article on hybrid cars. Have other questions? Go to the library’s MasterFILE Premier and explore on your own. |
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NextReads: Fiction A to Z
Take a walk through the aisles of our general fiction section and discover a range of characters and stories to engage and enlighten. View the latest issue, then sign up for NextReads and receive e-newsletters with recommendations based upon your interests. |
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New YouTube App Just for Kids
The new YouTube for Kids app offers a curated selection of videos appropriate for young viewers. It is available for Android and iOS. Parents can use it with confidence as a tool to complement reading and other learning activities. |
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Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, all libraries will be
closed on Sunday, May 24 and Monday, May 25.
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Construction Updates
Beaches Branch Library: The library remains open as usual while repairs are underway. 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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